Ex-executive secretary claims corruption worsened under Marcos admin

Metro Manila, Philippines — A former executive secretary who had a falling out with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. slammed the administration for worsening corruption.

Vic Rodriguez was Marcos spokesperson during the campaign and eventually became executive secretary. He is aspiring for a Senate seat.

“Na-introduce na naman ngayon under this present administration, under the Marcos administration, in the form of unprogrammed appropriation [ang pork barrel],” Rodriguez told NewsWatch Plus on Monday, Oct. 14, referring to a source of corruption.

[Translation: Pork barrel was introduced in the Marcos administration in the form of unprogrammed appropriations.]

“Kaya siguro ganito ‘yung nangyayari na napipilitan silang galawin pati ‘yung PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation) funds na P89.9 billion sapagkat wala na silang perang pagkuhaan para pondohan ‘yung pork barrel ng mga legislators,” he claimed, noting that the Supreme Court ruled that pork barrel is illegal.

[Translation: Maybe that is why they are forced to tap the PhilHealth fund worth P89.9 billion because they do not have anything to fund the pork barrel of legislators.]

Unprogrammed appropriation is a form of standby fund dependent on excess revenue.

The Department of Finance earlier directed PhilHealth to remit ₱89.9 billion in unused subsidy to the Bureau of the Treasury to be tapped for public investment.

NewsWatch Plus reached out to Malacañang for a comment but has yet to respond.