Rodriguez no longer part of Marcos Cabinet, says Bersamin

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Tuesday said his predecessor, Atty. Victor Rodriguez, is no longer part of the Marcos administration.

Bersamin denied that there was an Administrative Order No. 1 that supposedly designated Rodriguez as presidential chief of staff.

"To our knowledge, wala eh. Dito sa Malacañang alam niyo naman 'yan, matagal na kayo rito," Bersamin said. 

"'Pag mayroon talaga niyan, mayroon na kayong kopya," he added.

(T our knowledge, there's none. You've been here in Malacañang for a while. You know that. If the document exists, you'd already have a copy.)  

"He is no longer a member of the Cabinet. You must recall that he resigned due to specific reason and that reason is well-published to you," Bersamin said.

He said Rodriguez's privacy must also be respected.

Bersamin said Rodriguez's resignation was accepted.

"If there was no acceptance, there will be no vacancy," Bersamin said.

Rodriguez resigned as executive secretary in September, saying he wanted to give time for his family.

He said his job demanded "a sense of urgency which essentially requires almost all of a public servant’s time to ensure that services are met and delivered."

Rodriguez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s spokesperson during the campaign period for the 2022 elections, held the Cabinet post for nearly three months.

When Rodriguez stepped down, the Office of the Press Secretary mentioned that Marcos signed Administrative Order No. 1, which supposedly created the position of Presidential Chief of Staff (PCS).

The OPS said Rodriguez would immediately assume the post of PCS, which will be under the direct supervision of the Chief Executive.

The OPS said the AO stated that the PCS would have the "rank and emoluments of a Cabinet Secretary." —KBK/NB, GMA News