Former Executive Secretary Atty. Vic Rodriguez questioned President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for all Cabinet members to submit their courtesy resignations, stating the latter had created an "air of instability."
In an exclusive interview at DZRH’s Special on Saturday, Rodriguez expounded on his previous statement that Marcos’ attempt for a Cabinet reshuffle is a form of “cosmetic change.” During the interview, Rodriguez explained his call for the President to step in and step up on his leadership.
“Kaya‘t ako’y consistent lamang doon, hangga’t hindi niya ipinapakita yung kanyang leadership bilang pangulo. Siya naman ang tunay na may mandato. I-exercise niya yung kanyang pagiging pangulo. Bigyan niya ng tamang direksyon ang ating bansa,” he said.
He explained that the President is the designated captain of the ship, adding that problems would arise if the captain steers the ship in the wrong direction. Thus, if someone criticizes or speaks out, Rodriguez stated that the government should take it constructively.
Rodriguez also clarified that his comments on the current administration did not come from his exit as executive secretary.
“‘Yun ang malaking pagkakaiba namin. Bagamat nirerespeto ko yung kanyang naging opinyon at pahayag, [at] hindi man ako sang-ayon, ganyan ang demokrasya. Hayaan natin magsalita ang bawat isa,” he stated.
“Hindi rin talaga ako tatagal pag ganitong uri ng administrasyon ang aking paglilingkuran. Kaya nga ako um-exit eh. ‘Yun ang aming pagkakaiba. At while he is free to express his own opinion, he is not free to speak on my behalf,” he added.
Although several Cabinet secretaries and officials had already submitted their courtesy resignations, Rodriguez pointed out that the economic team members were able to retain their positions.
“Ako naman, yung aking komento na it’s a cosmetic change, tila tumama…pero tingnan mo naman, na-retain yung buong economic team. Karapatan niya ‘yon, siya presidente, pero may karapatan din tayo na magsalita,” Rodriguez said.
He stated that the economic team was the one who pushed for Marcos to sign the 2025 unconstitutional budget.
“Pinagresign mo ang buong Gabinete, ilan lang naman pala ang papalitan mo. Diba you have created an air of instability nung hiningi mo ang resignation ng lahat ng iyong Gabinete tapos pwede naman pala magpalit ka with surgical light precision ng mga department head o secretary mo, sapagkat tukoy mo naman pala kung sino yung non-performing o underperforming,” he emphasized.
“Why demand the submission of the courtesy resignation of your entire cabinet?” he added.
On Thursday, RH Leth Narciso reported that Marcos asked all members of the Cabinet to submit their courtesy resignations, an effort to “realign the government” and meet the people’s expectations.
