Victor Dayrit Rodriguez[1] (born December 23, 1973)[2] is a Filipino lawyer who served as the Executive Secretary from June to September 2022 in the administration of 17th President Bongbong Marcos, and previously served as Marcos' campaign spokesperson.[3] He was also the executive vice president and general campaign manager of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas during the Marcos 2022 campaign.[4]
Victor Rodriguez | |
|---|---|
 Rodriguez in 2022 | |
| 39th Executive Secretary of the Philippines Ad Interim | |
| In office June 30, 2022 – September 17, 2022 | |
| President | Bongbong Marcos |
| Preceded by | Salvador Medialdea |
| Succeeded by | Lucas Bersamin |
| Punong Barangay of Sacred Heart, Quezon City | |
| In office 1992–1996 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Victor Dayrit Rodriguez December 23, 1973 Quezon City, Philippines |
| Political party | Independent (2022–present) |
| Other political affiliations | PFP (until 2022) |
| Alma mater | University of Santo Tomas (LL.B) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Education
editRodriguez attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila where he obtained his law degree. He also had executive education at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Negotiation and Influence Program.[2]
Career
editRodriguez is a lawyer and was involved in various law organizations. He is the managing lawyer of Rodriguez & Partners Law Firm which he helped establish in 2003.[5] He is also president of Quezon City Trial Lawyers League, and was treasurer of the UST Law Alumni Foundation (USTLAFI). He was also deputy general counsel of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.[2]
He was first elected as a barangay kagawad of Sacred Heart, Quezon City before being elected as its barangay captain at age 19 and became the youngest person to hold the position.[6][7] He joined the Quezon City government in 2002 after his one-decade tenure as barangay captain,[8] and was appointed special assistant to the chief of the Business Permits and Licensing Office by then Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. He then became officer in charge of the city's Community Relations Office.[5]
Rodriguez co-founded the tabloid Saksi Ngayon with Antonio Lagdameo Jr.[5]
2022 Marcos presidential campaign
editRodriguez served as spokesperson and chief of staff of then-candidate Bongbong Marcos during his presidential campaign in the 2022 elections.[5] After Marcos won the presidency, Rodriguez became part of lead the transition team to help Marcos build the initial composition of his cabinet.[9][10]
Executive Secretary
editRodriguez relinquished his role as Marcos Jr.’s spokesperson in preparation for his role as President Bongbong Marcos's Executive Secretary.[2][5]
Embattled by controversies relating to his roles in the sugar importation order fiasco and contentious appointments of some government officials,[11] Rodriguez resigned on September 17, 2022, after less than three months in his position, but continued on in the role of Presidential Chief of Staff; Rodriguez cited the need to spend more time with his family.[12] Rodriguez unsuccessfully attempted to give himself additional powers as the Presidential Chief of Staff after Marcos rejected his plan upon the recommendation of Marcos' Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile.[13][11]
Post-cabinet
editIn November 2022, Marcos' political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), expelled Rodriguez as its executive vice president, citing "loss of trust and confidence" and "acts inimical to the party". Upon learning about it, Marcos did not object to the expulsion. The PFP blamed Rodriguez for the unsuccessful presidential appointment of PFP members, remarking Rodriguez was "supposed to be our champion in the appointments process". In response, Rodriguez said he could not allow an unqualified applicant be appointed just because he or she is a PFP member; Rodriguez added: "My loyalty to Partido Federal ng Pilipinas ends where the interest of the 31.6 million Filipinos who believed in us during the campaign, and my loyalty to the Republic of the Philippines begins".[4]
On January 28, 2024, Rodriguez spoke at a protest in Davao City against proposals to amend the Constitution of the Philippines that was being supported by officials within the Marcos administration, saying that he felt responsible for the developments as he had convinced many voters to elect Marcos as president. Rodriguez said that he was invited to the event by Leoncio Evasco Jr., the cabinet secretary of Marcos' predecessor as president, Rodrigo Duterte.[14]
On April 16, 2024, Rodriguez told Marcos Jr., to take a "credible hair follicle drug testing" to end all accusations that he is an illegal drug user, especially since Rodrigo Duterte publicly said that Marcos is always "bangag."[15][16]
In October 2024, Rodriguez filed his candidacy to run in the 2025 Philippine Senate election.[17]
Kingmaker: The Hardcopy
editIn July 2024, a book authored by newsman Gerry Lirio, titled Kingmaker: The Hardcopy, was launched, detailing Rodriguez' personal experiences during his 79 days working as Executive Secretary (ES) under the Bongbong Marcos administration. In the book, Rodriguez recounts how his relationship with Marcos' wife, First Lady Liza Araneta, soured after Araneta began inserting her influence in government agencies that generate revenue and wanted power over military appointments. Rodriguez also stated Araneta allegedly accused him of wiretapping her using the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP). As a result of these issues, Rodriguez said he was forced to resign as Marcos' ES.[18][19][unreliable source?]
References
edit- ^ Casayuran, Mario (September 28, 2022). "CA bypasses 14 presidential appointees". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Marcos' chief of staff nominated as executive secretary". Philippine News Agency. May 22, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ Tamayo, Bernadette E. (September 20, 2021). "Federal party eyes Marcos as head". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "Marcos' political party expels ex-ES Rodriguez". CNN Philippines. November 22, 2022. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Valente, Catherine (June 13, 2022). "Rodriguez to play key role as 'little President'". The Manila Times. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ Pacpaco, Ryan Ponce (June 24, 2022). "QC village execs hail ES Vic Rodriguez". Journal News. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ Lopez, Tony (June 29, 2022). "Vic Rodriguez". Manila Standard. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ Dagala, Jaymark (June 24, 2022). "Liga ng mga Barangay sa Quezon City, nagbigay pagkilala kay Executive Secretary designate Atty. Vic Rodriguez". Radyo Pilipinas Uno. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
- ^ "Marcos camp assumes victory, forms transition team". ABS-CBN News. May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ "Marcos camp says Abalos to head DILG, names UniTeam transition team members". ABS-CBN News. May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Arcilla, Gigie (September 17, 2022). "'Little prexy' quits as ES, named CoS". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ Abad, Michelle (September 17, 2022). "Vic Rodriguez resigns as executive secretary". Rappler. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ Valente, Catherine S. (September 18, 2022). "JPE thwarts Rodriguez bid to get more power". The Manila Times. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ "Baste Duterte to Marcos Jr.: 'Resign if you do not have love for country'". ABS-CBN. January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Piatos, Tiziana (April 16, 2024). "Former palace exec tells Marcos to take 'credible hair follicle drug test'". Daily Tribune (Philippines). Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Rita, Joviland (April 16, 2024). "Ex-ES Vic Rodriguez urges Marcos to undergo 'credible' drug test". GMA Integrated News. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ Mendoza, John Eric (October 8, 2024). "Vic Rodriguez files COC for senator". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Jabadan, Rodini Bing R. (July 9, 2024). "Digong: Rodriguez's book a must-read for Filipinos". The Nation Week. Archived from the original on July 11, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
- ^ Mondejar, M. J. (July 5, 2024). "Former ES Vic Rodriguez's book details First Lady Liza Marcos' alleged government interference". SMNI News Channel. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.