Vic Rodriguez quits ES post Immediately assumes new role as pres’l chief of staff VICTOR RODRIGUEZ
n By VINCE LOPEZ
V
ICTOR Rodriguez is stepping down as Executive Secretary to assume a new role as Presidential Chief of Staff effective immediately, the lawyer and longtime aide to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced himself in a press statement sent to Palace reporters on Saturday. “I have asked permission (from the President) to step down as Executive Secretary,” he said. “To the Filipino people, I shall continue serving you and the country as the Presidential Chief of Staff.” His decision to quit his ES post – the “primus inter pares” or first among equals in the
Cabinet -- was also confirmed by Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles. “We confirm reports that Atty. Vic Rodriguez has stepped down as Executive Secretary,” Angeles said in a separate statement. As for his potential replacement, names have already surfaced on social media and online news outlets—with some even congratulating a former top magistrate who is reportedly Mr. Marcos’ pick -- but the Palace has neither confirmed nor denied any of them. Mr. Marcos is not expected to name his new Executive Secretary until he returns from New York, where he
will speak at the 77th United Nations General Assembly, on Sept. 24, Palace sources said (see related story on A1 – Editors). The Palace has not had a Presidential Chief of Staff since 2008 under the Arroyo administration, when veteran lawmaker Mike Defensor held the position. Angeles said the Office of Executive Secretary will be vacant as “various personalities are being meticulously taken care of the Office of the President to see who will be the most qualified for the position.” “There are names now being considered for the position of Executive Secretary, and these names are now under the process of vetting by the Office
Manila Standard spearheads tree planting in Tanay EMPLOYEES and officials of Manila Standard planted about 400 propagules of bamboo as they joined environment and government executives and a motorcycle riders’ group in the 11th sowing of the MS “Integritree” Adopt a Tree program on Saturday along the banks of Kaliwa River in Rizal province. CONTINUED ON 2A
11TH ‘INTEGRITREE’. Employees and officials of Manila Standard join environment and government executives, a motorcycle riders’ group and village officials in the 11th sowing of the MS “Integritree” Adopt a Tree program on Saturday along the banks of Kaliwa River in Tanay, Rizal. Inset shows Standard HR manager Espie Dionisio planting one of 400 bamboo propagules in Brgy. Sto. Nino, Tanay.
NBI raids POGO site in Rizal, rescues 72 detained foreigners MORE than 70 foreigners allegedly detained inside a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) site in Cainta, Rizal were rescued on Friday by authorities, who also arrested a Chinese man. The National Bureau of Investigation
PBBM flies to US for 77th UNGA, set to speak at event on Sept. 20
said its agents rescued 70 Chinese workers, two Taiwanese, a Malaysian, and a Vietnamese in the operation conducted in coordination with the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Chinese Embassy. CONTINUED ON 3A
n By VINCE LOPEZ PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. leaves this morning for New York to attend the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York on Sept. 20, the first to be held completely in-person since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This marks the President’s first engagement with the UN and his third official overseas trip following his successful state visits to Indonesia and Singapore earlier this month. Mr. Marcos will depart from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 at 8:15 a.m. via Philippine Airlines, the Palace said in an advisory. The President’s speech to the UN is
House opens debates on budget next week, expects swift approval n By MARICEL V. CRUZ THE House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations is set to submit on Tuesday the proposed P5.268 trillion 2023 budget to the
plenary for sponsorship and deliberations, with a view to “judicious but swift approval” of the government’s National Expenditure Plan for next year.
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GOOD TALK. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. beams after talking to French President Emmanuel Macron over the phone on Friday. The two leaders talked about ‘increased exchanges’ on energy, food security, and defense. Presidential Photo
Results of plebiscite on Maguindanao split out today COASTAL CLEANUP.
Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco (above) and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna join volunteers from various agencies during the International Coastal Clean-up Day 2022 across their cities and at Baseco Beach in Manila on Saturday. Andrew Rabulan and Norman Cruz
THE plebiscite that would decide on dividing Maguindanao province went smoothly and was successful, with results expected to be released Sunday afternoon, the head of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Saturday.
Besides a 30-minute delay in the start of the polls in Talayan town, where a voting center took time to be prepared, no other interruptions, violent incidents, or irregularities were noticed by the Comelec on the morning
UN summit returns to in-person assembly to a world of divisions WORLD | 3A
of the plebiscite, poll chairman George Garcia said. Garcia said all but one precinct opened at 7 a.m. for the 818,790 registered voters who decided if CONTINUED ON 2A
Gov’t workers get free LRT, MRT rides Monday NEWS | 2A