Rodriguez puzzled by supposed resignation rumors: I’m still in my office

Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez is puzzled about rumors that he has quit from his post under the Marcos administration.

On Friday, officers of the Malacañang Press Corps made a courtesy call on Rodriguez and they asked the latter about the rumor that he had resigned.

Without categorically denying that he had quit, Rodriguez said he is just in his office and he does not know where the talks about his resignation started.

"Even the messages that I got this morning, essentially that I have resigned, but as you know, you made this courtesy call, I'm still here in my office," he said.

"I'm just here... I hardly go out of my office, probably that's one... I don't know how the rumor started but all of us in the Cabinet, regardless of the portfolio that he or she is holding or handling, I think that the moment he accepts the nomination and request coming by the President to help him serve the country, I think automatic 'yun, the moment you said yes, automatic na tinanggap mo na rin na you will be asked to leave but until that happens, then you stay," he added.

Asked what will be his reasons if he ever resigns, Rodriguez said he does not want to think about it but he would quit over family or health matters.

"I don’t want to think about it. But, of course for health reasons. Of course, family reasons. That’s why I'm saying I don’t want to think about those reasons because I don’t want to get sick," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez was directly asked about the speculations on his rumored resignation. He said he could not explain this "unverifiable" pieces of information.

"We cannot be held to explain on something na unverifiable or 'chismis' lang dahil we don’t want to end up explaining on something that need not be explained," Rodriguez said.

"I think it will continue that way for us as long as he’s the President, and do we have to explain? We will only explain things that are coming from verifiable source or sources. But I know you understand too if it's fake news or bordering on chismis or Marites, I don’t think it’s proper for anyone, whether a government functionary or an ordinary person, to be asked or made to explain," he added.

Earlier, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles already denied the supposed resignation of Rodriguez.

Prior to his appointment as Executive Secretary, Rodriguez served as Marcos' chief-of-staff and spokesperson. — RSJ, GMA News