Ex-ES Vic Rodriguez urges Marcos to undergo 'credible' drug test

Executive Secretary Victor Rodriguez faces members of the Senate blue ribbon committee on Tuesday, August 23, 2022, to shed light on the events that transpired in connection with the controversial Sugar Order (SO) No. 4 issued by the Sugar Regulatory Administration authorizing the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar. The committee, chaired by Sen. Francis Tolentino, conducted a hearing following the privilege speech of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri delivered on August 15, 2022. VOLTAIRE DOMINGO/SENATE PRIB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s former executive secretary, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, on Tuesday urged him to undergo a “credible hair follicle drug test” in order to put an end to allegations that he is an illegal drug user.

Rodriguez made the statement when asked about Marcos’ remark in January that he would not dignify inquiries on his alleged illegal drug use.

“That’s not dignifying, it’s heeding the call and the clamor of the Filipino people,” Rodriguez, who stepped down from the Marcos administration in 2022 to spend more time with his family, told Unang Balita in an interview.

“You know, if you have nothing to hide, it’s simple, just undergo a credible hair follicle drug test,” he said.

GMA News Online has sought comment from Malacañang regarding Rodriguez’s statement but it has yet to respond as of posting time.

Rodriguez was present during a Tagum City rally on Sunday where former President Rodrigo Duterte again mentioned Marcos’ alleged illegal drug use.

Duterte in January called Marcos “bangag” (high on drugs), only to take it back in February, saying he never accused Marcos of being into illegal drugs. Marcos on Monday described his relationship with the Duterte family as “complicated.”

But aside from Duterte’s claims, Rodriguez said the supposed drug allegations also came from a pre-operation report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) — a report that was already denied by PDEA.

“So para matapos na ‘yan, bakit hindi sumailalim yung mga nakakaladkad na pangalan sa isang hair follicle drug testing,” Rodriguez said.

(So to end this, those who are being dragged into this issue should undergo a hair follicle drug testing.)

Rodriguez said his call for regular drug tests on government officials was his response to those who challenged the result that he presented in 2021 showing Marcos negative for illegal drug use. He said he is standing by the result.

“Ako ay nakakaladkad. Ako ay nagpakita ng pekeng resulta noong 2021. Sasabihin ko sa lahat na aking pinanindigan ang resulta na aking pinakita noong 2021 na negatibo si then BBM, ‘yung kandidatong BBM,” he added.

(I got dragged into this. Supposedly, I showed a fake result in 2021. I will tell everyone that I stand by the result that I showed in 2021 that then BBM, the BBM candidate, was negative.)

Rodriguez, who was Marcos’ spokesperson during the 2022 campaign period, said he attended Sunday’s rally by the Maisug group in Tagum City to express support for its call on protecting the Constitution.

“Patuloy akong sasama doon sa hakbang ng Maisug para ang patuloy nating panawagan is to protect and defend our Constitution,” he said.

(I will continue to join the move of Maisug with our continued call to protect and defend our Constitution.)

Rodriguez said he believes the suspension of Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib was due to the governor’s refusal to grant a supposed request to not give a permit for the Sunday event in Tagum City.

“Merong nagtangkang pumigil na bigyan niya ng permiso yung rally noong Linggo at noong hindi napagbigyan ang kasunod ”yung kanyang suspension,” Rodriguez alleged.

(Someone tried to prevent him from giving permission for the rally on Sunday and when it was not granted, he was suspended.)

On other issues, Rodriguez said they are convinced that the extension of the term limit will be included in the proposed Charter change while citing a survey that 88% of Filipinos are opposed to the move.

He also expressed fears from a possible war with China stemming from the West Philippine Sea issue.

“Dapat tigilan na ‘yung mga belligerent rhetoric nung nasa pamahalaan at huwag na masyadong matapang. Hindi ho giyera ang sagot diyan sa problemang ‘yan,” he said.

(The belligerent rhetoric of those in the government should stop and they should not be too brave. The answer to that problem is not war.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News

This article Ex-ES Vic Rodriguez urges Marcos to undergo ‘credible’ drug test was originally published in GMA News Online.