Senatorial hopeful Atty. Vic Rodriguez has spoken out about his fallout with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., revealing that corruption was the main reason he stepped down as executive secretary in 2022.
During the Tanong ng Bayan: The GMA Senatorial Face-Off 2025, Rodriguez was questioned about his departure from Malacañang. He claimed that his resignation was prompted by what he saw as rampant corruption in the administration.
“Hindi ko masikmura ang korupsyon kung kaya’t ako ay umalis ng Malacañang,” he said, adding that he was even offered the role of Presidential Chief of Staff but refused it due to the direction the administration was taking.
Rodriguez also accused members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), Marcos’ political party, of pressuring him to appoint them to key government positions, including the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and the Civil Service Commission. He alleged that these individuals were unqualified and had ulterior motives.
In November 2022, months after his resignation, the PFP expelled Rodriguez from the party, citing incompetence, betrayal of trust, and disloyalty.
More recently, Rodriguez, along with Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungab, petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the 2025 national budget unconstitutional, claiming irregularities and blank items in the bicameral conference committee report.
While President Marcos denied the existence of blank pages in the budget, Rodriguez insisted otherwise, saying, “This is criminal. This is a violation of Article 170 of the Revised Penal Code, falsification of a legislative document.”
As he campaigns for a Senate seat, Rodriguez has positioned himself as a staunch anti-corruption advocate. “I have just mentioned…‘yung kalokohan dito sa 2025 budget. Ito’y punong-puno ng blanko… ito ang aking lalabanan sa Senado, ang korupsyon,” he vowed.
