The Partido Federal ng Filipinas (PFP) has expelled former executive secretary Victor Rodriguez over “loss of trust,” “disloyalty,” and other “act inimical to the party.”
In the 11-page resolution, the PFP said the decision stemmed from a complaint filed by PFP officers of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), namely PFP-BARMM regional chairman Jammal 'Bong' Amin, PFP-BARMM regional president Al-Rasheed Sakklahul, and PFP-BARMM regional exec. vice president Edifar 'Papay' Ladjhali.
In the complaint affidavit enclosed in the resolution, PFP-BARMM officers cited information from radio broadcaster Anthony Taberna who revealed that Rodriguez had used his influence as executive secretary to appoint incoming General Manager Christopher Pastrana to the Philippine Ports Authority.
According to them, the appointment was “highly questionable” because Pastrana is one of the owners of Archipelago Philippines Ferries or FASTCAT, hence it is a conflict of interest.
Pastrana is also indebted to the transportation department of Php 132 million, they added.
Apart from this, the PFP-BARRM officers also accused Rodriguez of “clutching at straws” even at the last hour of his voluntary resignation by drafting and submitting to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. a special memorandum order creating the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff.
Rodriguez stepped down from his post last September, citing that he needed time for his family.
However in his resignation letter, he claimed that he would assume the new role of Presidential Chief of Staff. Malacañang then clarified that no order were issued regarding the said position.
In a television interview with PFP General Counsel George Briones on Tuesday, he said Anton Lagdameo would be replacing Rodriguez as PFP executive vice president.
He said Marcos, PFP chairman, did not took part of the party’s decision but had been informed about it.
Briones also dismissed rumors that the President would be leaving the party to join other established ones.
“Hindi po lilipat si PBBM. Ang pagpapatunay nito ay pinahintulutan niya na maging executive vice president ng PFP ay si SAP Anton Lagdameo,” he added.
