Rodriguez shoots down rumors he has resigned

(UPDATE) EXECUTIVE Secretary Victor Rodriguez on Friday brushed aside rumors that he has resigned from his post due to pressure from the “inner circle” of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

He made the denial during his meeting with the officers of the Malacañang Press Corps (MPC).

He was in a jovial mood as he talked with the reporters.

“I am still here in my office. That’s why I said tinitingnan ko ‘yung mga hitsura n’yo kanina kung meron kayong parang nakakita kayo ng multo (I was looking at your faces and it looks like you’ve seen a ghost). “But I am just here, I hardly go out of my office,” Rodriguez said.

Unverified reports circulated that the 48-year-old Rodriguez, who was Marcos’ campaign manager in the last elections, offered to quit after close associates of Marcos insist he is not qualified to be the “little President.”

His choice of appointments for Malacañang positions was also questioned.

Another report had it that a religious organization told Marcos that Rodriguez’s camp was asking for P100 million in exchange for a Cabinet post.

Rodriguez refused to comment on the rumors, saying “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,” he 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,” Rodriguez said.

He said he would only resign for health or family reasons.

“I don’t want to think about those reasons because I do not want to get sick. I don’t think anyone of us here would want to get sick. The moment you cite that as a reason to your employer, something must be seriously wrong with your health,” he added.

Rodriguez also acknowledged that accepting a Cabinet post means he might be asked to leave anytime.

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

“But until that happens then you stay,” he said.

As Executive Secretary, Rodriguez is one of the most powerful officials in the Palace. Practically, all the paperwork goes through him before it reaches the President.

Trouble could also be brewing in another Malacañang office, the Philippine…