Camille Naredo

Senatorial aspirant Atty. Vic Rodriguez during the Harapan 2025 interview series on January 7, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News


Article (news)

HALALAN 2025

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173632722556020250107-rodriguez-vic-harapan-MD-8.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senatorial aspirant Atty. Vic Rodriguez during the Harapan 2025 interview series on January 7, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN NewsSenatorial aspirant Atty. Vic Rodriguez during the Harapan 2025 interview series on January 7, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senatorial aspirant Atty. Vic Rodriguez during the Harapan 2025 interview series on January 7, 2025. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – Senatorial aspirant Vic Rodriguez shared the backstory of what led him to run in the 2025 national and local elections.</p><p> Speaking at Harapan 2025, Rodriguez said former President Rodrigo Duterte encouraged him to try his luck to enter the Senate this 2025 elections. </p><p>&quot;Walang pinangko si Pangulong Duterte kung hindi ay susuportahan ako. At kakausapin niya ang kanyang mga supporters, &#x27;yung kanyang core group na tulungan ako sa pangangampanya,&quot; he shared.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/7/harapan-2025-rodriguez-rejects-edca-says-marcos-jr-should-defuse-tension-in-wps-2318">Harapan 2025: Rodriguez rejects EDCA, says Marcos Jr. should defuse tension in WPS</a> </div><p>When he filed his certificate of candidacy in October 2024, the former Executive Secretary said the former President endorsed his senatorial bid. </p><p>Rodriguez said he is running to fight what he claimed as &quot;very bad&quot; corruption in government. </p><p>He shared he spoke with the elder Duterte several times before the period of filing of certificate of candidacy. </p><p>&quot;Initially sabi niya &#x27;Vic tumakbo kang Senador&#x27;. (Sagot ko) &#x27;Ako hindi ko hilig ito Mister President, mas magaling ako sa likod tutulong nalang ako&#x27;. I was expecting  that he will be the one to run for Senator and I would go all the way for him,&quot; Rodriguez said. </p><p>&quot;Ako ang tumugon sa hamon na pamunuan ang tunay at maisug na opposition,&quot; he added.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/20/liberal-party-makabayan-bloc-reject-claim-ph-vp-duterte-is-an-opposition-leader-2225">Liberal Party, Makabayan bloc reject claim PH VP Duterte is an opposition leader</a> </div><p>Reports of the elder Duterte&#x27;s possible senatorial bid spread during the COC filing period. The former President filed his COC for Davao City mayor with his son Sebastian &quot;Baste&quot; Duterte as his runningmate. </p><p>Rodriguez was a known ally of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., even serving as his Spokesperson during the 2022 campaign and Executive Secretary early in the presidency. </p><p>However, he stepped down from his post and exited the cabinet, resulting in a falling out with Marcos Jr.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/10/05/22/vic-rodriguez-says-completely-exited-marcos-admin">Vic Rodriguez says he &#x27;completely exited&#x27; Marcos administration</a> </div><p>Rodriguez lamented what happened between him and the President, pointing to the individuals who entered the picture after the elections. </p><p>&quot;Maraming sumama nalang noong panalo na kami sa kampanya. Gusto nila na business as usual… This is not the kind of leadership and government we agreed to have &#x27;pag siya ay pinalad at tangkiliking maging Pangulo,&quot; he said. </p><p>Rodriguez said the fallout with Marcos Jr. was a painful experience. </p><p>&quot;Masakit talaga &#x27;yun dahil tinuri mong kaibigan eh. Inakay mo, magkasama kayo doon sa isang bahagi ng buhay niyang napakadilim. Hanggang saan sa dahan-dahan nakita namin pasikat na yung araw, kami magkasama. At nung dumating sa puntong mababang-mababa ang aking buhay, nanay ko &#x27;yun eh. Ni ho ni ha wala kang narinig, masakit yun eh,&quot; Rodriguez said. </p><p>&quot;Hindi ko hahangarin na mangyari sa kanya o kung kanino man &#x27;yung eksperyensya ko na &#x27;yun o yung nangyari na &#x27;yun,&quot; he added.</p><div><strong>WATCH Rodriguez&#x27;s interview with Karen Davila:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NwbDksxhOg8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Senatorial aspirant Vic Rodriguez shared the backstory of what led him to run in the 2025 national and local elections.</p>

Senatorial aspirant Vic Rodriguez shared the backstory of what led him to run in the 2025 national and local elections.

Harapan 2025: What led Vic Rodriguez to vie for a Senate seat in 2025

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Harapan 2025: What led Vic Rodriguez to vie for a Senate seat in 2025

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 08, 2025 05:19 PM PHT

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