ES Rodriguez denies resigning over pressure from ‘inner circle’

EXECUTIVE Secretary Victor D. Rodriguez denied reports he resigned from his post due to alleged pressure from the “inner circle” of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.

During his courtesy call with the officers of the Malacañang Press Corps on Friday, Rodriguez said he remains a member of the Cabinet.

“I am still here in my office...i hardly leave my office,” Rodriguez said.

The Palace official made the clarification after an article posted on Friday by an online site, Balitangklik, claimed Rodriguez resigned after a “religious group” supposedly reported him to Marcos for reportedly extorting P100 million from people who lobby for positions in the government.

Rodriguez said he has personally not yet read the article, but he noted he received several messages asking him if he had already left his post.

The claims in the article, particularly the cited P100-million amount, was too “fantastic” and were only based on rumors, according to Rodriguez.

He said he currently has no plan to resign and will only do so if it is due to health or family concerns or if he will be asked by Marcos to do so.

“I think it must be clear that the moment he or she accepts the nomination [for a Cabinet position] and the request coming from the President to help him serve and run the country, I think it is automatic: the moment you said yes, you accept that anytime you can be asked to leave [your post],” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is currently one of the most trusted Cabinet members of Marcos, having served as the president’s spokesperson during the election campaign.