Former Executive Secretary and now Senatorial aspirant Atty. Vic Rodriguez pledged to advocate providing "targeted ayuda" to Filipino farmers, fishermen, and transport sector workers.
In the Bakit Ikaw: The DZRH Job Interview on Wednesday, Rodriguez stated that he does not support the existing aid programs, such as the Ayuda sa Kapos Ang Kita Program (AKAP) and Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS).
"Bakit hindi natin bigyan ng targeted ayuda or approach itong mga magsasaka, mangingisada at miyembro ng transport sector?" Rodriguez asked.
He further suggested converting the aid provided by AKAP and AICS into a limited-period subsidy for the sectors mentioned, to help compensate for their losses.
Rodriguez pointed out that the government has long been wasting billions of pesos on ineffective aid and stressed that the administration should prioritize improving the lives of Filipinos.
"Ito ang dapat pinagtutuunan ng Marcos administration, kung paano mapagaan ang buhay ng ating mahihirap at patuloy na naghihirap na kababayan," Rodriguez reiterated.
"Hindi itong AKAP, hindi itong AICS, hindi ‘yung political persecution laban sa mga known political critics," he added.
The former Malacañang official shared that his decision to run stems from his inability to accept the corruption in the country, emphasizing that it is crucial to stand up against it. He embraced the challenge to lead a genuine and brave opposition.
Fallout with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Rodriguez clarified that he resigned from his position when he was the Executive Secretary under President Marcos.
"Ako ay nagbitiw bilang executive sec. subalit noong aking kasama noon sinasabi sa akin na ‘huwag kang aalis at tayong dalawa ang naghirap nito, dito ka samahan mo ako at tanggapin mo itong Presidential Chief of Staff appointment'," Rodriguez recounted.
"Sabi ko ay hindi pu-pwede, hindi existing iyang position ‘yan at hindi ako pu-pwedeng tumanggap ng appointment na walang opisina," he added.
During the interview, he presented what he claimed to be his appointment and Administrative Order No. 1, which was officially released by the Malacañang Records Office.
He further explained that he left his position because the situation in the Palace had become "untenable," stating that the direction being taken was no longer aligned with his values.
Moreover, he mentioned that at the beginning, the appointments were made based on qualifications and competence. Roque, however, said that as time went on, he noticed that people were being appointed not for their skills, but because of their connections or family ties, and this is when he decided to oppose it.
Rodriguez shared that he had conflicts with certain individuals in Malacañang, who were denied appointments because he believed they didn’t deserve the roles they were asking for, particularly those pushing for quick and unqualified appointments.
"Paano ka naman magkakaroon ng tamang vetting process kung minamadali, shinoshorten ang proseso?" he stated.
He then stated that there were no personal differences between him and President Marcos Jr., but he noted that it seemed unlikely for them to reconcile.
"Hindi naman ako naghahanap ng kasama kaya lang kapag dumaan ka doon sa isang bahagi ng buhay mo na malungkot at ‘yan ay noong pumanaw ang aking ina, ni isang salitang pakikiramay wala kang natanggap. Hindi kaibigan ang tawag doon," he added.
Ways to assist the transportation sector
He reiterated that instead of providing political aid, the budget should be allocated to the modernization program, where drivers and operators reportedly lack sufficient capital.
Rodriguez pointed out that the government cannot claim a lack of funds, citing the assistance being provided to Filipinos as proof of available resources.
Accusations of destabilization linked to the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA)
In reply to claims that noting discrepancies and blank spots in the national budget is part of destabilization efforts against the government, he stressed that the 2025 GAA was a product of a "very poisonous legislative process."
"Nakita namin, nakita ng sambayanang Pilipino, 28 items sa final ratified approved and signed Bicameral conference committee report blanko. Nagkakahalaga ito ng P241-B higit kumulang," Rodriguez noted.
"Hindi ito ang tamang pagproseso ng budget," he added.
He then clarified that they never claimed there were blanks in the actual GAA, pointing out that the blanks refer to the bicameral conference committee report, which serves as the basis, pillar, and foundation of the national budget.
Furthermore, he is questioning who inserted the amounts into the blanks in the bicameral conference committee report.
Rodriguez, an adopted guest candidate of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), is running for senator alongside known allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte and reelectionist Senators Bong Go and Bato Dela Rosa.
