‘I am still here in my office’, Rodriguez says amid resignation murmurs

MANILA, Philippines — “I am still here in my office,” Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez had this to say Friday following reports that he has resigned from his post.

During his meeting with the Malacanang Press Corps (MPC) officers, Rodriguez said he does not know where the rumors about his supposed resignation started.

“As you know, you made this courtesy call, I am still here in my office. Thats why I said tinitingnan ko yung mga hitsura niyo kanina kung meron kayong parang nakakita kayo ng multo. But I am just here, I hardly go out of my office,” Rodriguez told the MPC officers.

(As you know, you made this courtesy call. I am still here in my office. That’s why I was looking at your faces, and it seems like you’ve seen a ghost. But I am just here. I hardly go out of my office.)

Nonetheless, Rodriguez acknowledged that it is the prerogative of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to ask anyone from his Cabinet to leave their posts.

“All of us in the Cabinet, regardless of the portfolio that we are holding or handling, I think it must be clear that the moment he or she accepts the nomination and the request coming from the President… I think automatic yun—the moment you said yes, automatic na rin, tinaggap mo na rin that anytime you may be asked to leave,” Rodriguez said.

(I think it’s automatic that the moment you said yes, it’s automatic that you also accepted that anytime you might be asked to leave.)

“But until that happens then you stay… So malinaw dito sa (It’s clear with the) present administration that all those serving under President Marcos, that the moment the President asked you to serve under his leadership it goes without saying that there’s no permanence,” he added.

Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez. FILE PHOTO

According to reports, which cited unnamed sources, Rodriguez resigned after not being able to bear the pressure within the “inner circle” of the Marcos administration.

Some reports also cited Rodriguez’s lack of experience to serve as executive secretary and issues on appointments of members of the Marcos Cabinet.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles, however, denied the alleged resignation of Rodriguez.

“No,” Cruz-Angeles said in a Viber message when asked if the reports were true.

Another report claimed that a religious organization allegedly told Marcos that Rodriguez’s camp was asking for P100 million in exchange for a Cabinet position.

Rodriguez said, “we cannot be held to explain on something” that is “unverifiable or chismis (gossip).”

“We don’t want to end up explaining something that need not be explained. The amount is fantastic,” Rodriguez said.

“We will only explain things that are coming from verifiable sources or sources. But I know you understand too if it’s fake news or bordering on chismis, I don’t think it’s proper for anyone whether a government functionary or an ordinary person to be asked or made to explain,” he added.

READ: Bongbong Marcos’ spokesperson nominated as executive secretary

JPV/abc