‘Little President’ quits as ES, but is now Marcos’ Chief of Staff
Rodriguez was appointed by Marcos as Presidential Chief of Staff, a new position created by Administrative Order No. 1, signed over the weekend by the Chief Executive.
Former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez (Photo by Yummie Dingding)
After all the recent brouhaha and speculations, Atty. Victor Rodriguez finally broke his silence to announce that he quit as Executive Secretary — a position he held since President Ferdinand R. Marcos assumed office on 30 June.
In a statement Saturday, the beleaguered "little president" said he has asked permission to step down but will be Chief of Staff instead, contrary to persistent reports that he was already beyond the radar of Marcos Jr. and has been forced to resign due to several controversies.
"To the Filipino people, I shall continue serving you and the country as the Presidential Chief of Staff," Rodriguez said in his statement, confirming earlier reports of an imminent changing of the guards at the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed Rodriguez' bowing out of his position.
"We confirm reports that Atty. Vic Rodriguez has stepped down as Executive Secretary," Angeles said in a text message to reporters. "He got permission from President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. to do so."
Rodriguez did not expound the reason for quitting his post which has been mired with controversies including the sugar fiasco and contentious appointments of some government officials.
"There is nothing more rewarding than answering the call to serve the country, a rare privilege not extended to all but was given to me by the President, His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.," he said.
The work of an Executive Secretary, he said, is a 24/7 job with myriad topics expected to be attended to every day.
"It demands a sense of urgency which essentially requires almost all of a public servant's time to ensure that services are met and delivered," he added. "Equally valuable, however, is to witness firsthand your young family grow and evolve into how every parent would wish them to become and they most need me too."
He thanked President Marcos for his continuing trust and sincere understanding of his decision.
AO 1 creates PCOS
Meanwhile, the Office of the Press Secretary said Rodriguez was appointed by Marcos as Presidential Chief of Staff, a new position created by Administrative Order No. 1, signed over the weekend by the Chief Executive.