PFP justifies decision to expel ex-ES Rodriguez

MANILA, Philippines — The leadership of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), President Marcos’ political party when he ran for office, has justified its expulsion of former executive secretary Victor Rodriguez as a disciplinary measure in line with their principles and protocols.

Interviewed by “The Chiefs” on Cignal TV’s One News channel last Wednesday, South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., PFP president, also said Rodriguez’s expulsion from the party had nothing to do with appointments to top government posts or his departure from the Cabinet.

“We have processes of disciplining members in our party and this is one of the results of our disciplinary actions,” Tamayo, speaking in Filipino, said.

“We studied many aspects but we cannot reveal it to you because our party observes secrecy and confidentiality with regard to information that is for consumption only,” he added.

Earlier, though, Rodriguez claimed that the PFP was unhappy that their members who are not qualified for certain government posts were not appointed.

In defense of the party, Tamayo told The Chiefs that their members were aware that Rodriguez, who was PFP executive vice president prior to his expulsion, was not the appointing authority in Malacañang.

“It (Rodriguez’s expulsion) has nothing to do with the removal of attorney Vic as executive secretary of our President. It has nothing to do with the appointments of the President,” Tamayo stressed.

He noted that some party members are already occupying positions in the Marcos administration, but that Rodriguez did not recommend PFP members to state posts even if they were qualified.

“The executive vice president (Rodriguez) had recommendees but none were from his party even if there were qualified ones. It showed that there seemed to be some discrimination,” the PFP president said. “It has something to do with his commitment to the party.”

He also claimed that Rodriguez had failed to show up in PFP conferences and meetings.

“We conducted conferences but our executive vice president did not attend so therefore, we decided to have what we call a revamp in the leadership of the Partido Federal because we are heading towards expansion and the strengthening of our party,” Tamayo said.

In its resolution expelling Rodriguez, the PFP executive committee accused him of disloyal “acts inimical to the party” and called him an “undesirable public servant.”

Rodriguez has dismissed the PFP resolution as “media play” and claimed that his accusers were criticizing him because he did not yield to their “caprices.”