FAKE NEWS, NA-MARITES - VIC RODRIGUEZ

 

MANILA – There is no truth to reports that Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez has resigned from his post, Malacañang said on Friday.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed this in a text message sent to Palace reporters.

“No,” Cruz-Angeles said, when asked if Rodriguez has tendered his resignation as Executive Secretary.

The statement came after Rodriguez was reported to have vacated his post just barely a week before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivers his first State of the Nation Address on July 25.

Based on the reports circulating on social media, Rodriguez stepped down from office because of pressure within the “inner circle” of the Marcos administration.

Rodriguez was Marcos’ long-time chief of staff and spokesperson before he was nominated as Executive Secretary in May.

Rodriguez, a veteran law practitioner, was credited for the successful campaign of Marcos for the 2022 presidential elections.

The Executive Secretary, often referred to as the “Little President,” is mandated to “directly assist the President in the management of affairs of the government as well as to direct the operations of the Executive Office,” according to the Official Gazette.

The Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) is also considered “unique,” in the sense that it has both line and staff functions. Its staff function pertains to its duties to the President, while its line function pertains to its management of the Office of the President and its attached agencies.

The OES is likewise tasked to perform various other duties upon the discretion of the President or as stated by law. (PNA)