Unang Balita is the news segment of GMA Network's daily morning program, Unang Hirit. It's anchored by Arnold Clavio, Susan Enriquez, Ivan Mayrina, and Mariz Umali, and airs on GMA-7 Mondays to Fridays at 5:30 AM (PHL Time). For more videos from Unang Balita, visit http://www.gmanetwork.com/unangbalita.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 We will talk to the former Executive Secretary, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, who attended the peace rally in Tagumdabao del Norte this morning.
00:09 Atty. Vic, good morning.
00:11 Hi, good morning Ivan and good morning to all of those who are watching your program and thank you for inviting me.
00:16 Atty. Vic, you said a few things during the peace rally.
00:21 Your presence there, does that mean you agree with what you said?
00:26 I agree with the call of the Executive Secretary for all of us to protect and defend our Constitution.
00:34 There are so many things that are happening now that are not in accordance with the provisions of our Constitution.
00:43 That's why I will continue to be with the Executive Secretary so that our call is to protect and defend our Constitution.
00:51 Charter change advocates always say that it's just economic provisions.
00:57 But do you think they will really amend the political provisions for term extension?
01:05 Yes. We are convinced that they will amend the term limitation.
01:14 That's what we're not agreeing with. It's clear from the last survey that they have received, the proponents of charter change,
01:23 have received an 88 percent rejection from the Filipino people.
01:29 So let's not continue to be too divisive.
01:32 Let's focus on the problem of inflation, hunger, and how we can diffuse and escalate the tensions in the South China Sea.
01:45 What you're saying, Atty. Vic, we have more pressing problems to deal with.
01:49 But before we talk about that, you're suggesting a regular drug test for government officials. Please tell us about this.
01:57 Yes. It's my response to those who have challenged my results of November 2021, the drug test of BBM prior to the campaign.
02:12 I'm disappointed that I showed a faking result of 2021.
02:18 In your program, Ivan, I will tell everyone that I'm against the result I showed in 2021, which was negative.
02:27 BBM was the candidate. That's why I said once and for all, because I value my name, integrity, and character,
02:35 I had to undergo myself into a drug test, even though I don't need it, to be proven that I was a doctor.
02:44 For me, Hamon, as a candidate, in the program of DILG, the partnership with private firms and private organizations to have a drug-free workplace,
02:54 even if you're in GMA 7, why don't you undergo a drug test so that this non-stop discussion of drug users who are leading our government can stop?
03:09 Yes. In fact, that's one of the things that former President Duterte said, that President Marcos is using drugs.
03:17 Yes. He mentioned that in January of 2024 in Davao. He mentioned it again last Sunday in Tagum.
03:27 He also showed the pre-operation report of PIDEA. President Duterte said that he saw that during his time.
03:38 There was also a person who executed, not that, the agent himself, who will lead or fill up the pre-operation report.
03:48 So to end that, why don't you include the names of those who are involved in hair follicle drug testing.
03:58 This is not a joke. Even in an ordinary workplace, an ordinary employee is subjected to a periodic or random drug testing.
04:08 Why can't we subject the same to those national leaders that are tasked to govern our republic?
04:16 Unfortunately, Attorney Vic, President Marcos was asked that and he said he will not dignify that with a reply.
04:24 It's not dignifying. It's heeding the call and the clamor of the Filipino people.
04:30 If you have nothing to hide, it's simple. Just undergo a credible hair follicle drug test.
04:36 Because Ivan, even my daughters who are very, very young, were subjected to a random drug testing in their school.
04:46 We, as parents, did not complain. We want our daughters to be associated or classmates with a drug dependent at this very early stage of their life.
04:58 Attorney Vic, President, we will go to the pressing problems you mentioned earlier.
05:04 Some people who are not happy with President Marcos' actions in the country are also present at the rally.
05:09 As his former executive secretary, how would you assess the President's performance so far?
05:15 I'm saddened by what I heard. Everywhere I go, the hot issue being discussed in Tagong is the violation of the due process of Governor Edwin Obahe.
05:28 We are discussing it. For me, when I saw his documents, there's a difference because the case is still November of 2022, Ivan.
05:43 You yourself have covered criminal cases, et cetera. It's been a long time.
05:48 You're just going to put him under preventive suspension. Again, the timing is suspect.
05:53 He also said that there was a tanker that stopped him from giving his rally permit last Sunday.
06:00 If he didn't give it, his suspension will be the next. Again, this is a violation of the Constitution.
06:06 Again, the hottest issue is how do we diffuse and escalate the tension brewing in our own territory, the South China Sea.
06:16 The belligerent rhetorics in the government should be stopped. Let's not be too brave.
06:25 The answer to this problem is not a war. Let's be calm, be wise and talk. Let us open the line of diplomacy and continue the policy of engagement
06:37 and employ all available tools for diplomacy.
06:41 Attorney Vic, have you talked to President Marcos or anyone in his inner circle?
06:50 Can you continue to have a good, complicated relationship with the Dutertes?
06:56 Frankly, Ivan, the last time that I got to speak with the President was September 28, 2022,
07:05 when he invited me to his house across Malacanang. That was our last talk.
07:13 There are some people in the middle who are talking and President Marcos has sent some messages, which I appreciate.
07:22 I don't know if they're authorized or not, but I respect them as our friends, we're friends.
07:29 So I suppose they have authority. Am I willing to play the role of bridge or a peacemaker?
07:37 Of course, that's what we want to do here in the South China Sea, to be pacifist and to calm down and defuse and de-escalate all tensions.
07:48 Attorney Vic, thank you very much for joining us this morning.
07:52 Thank you Ivan. Good morning.
07:54 We talked with former Executive Secretary, Attorney Vic Rodriguez.
07:57 Meanwhile, we will talk with the President of Malacanang and former President Rodrigo Duterte about what Attorney Vic Rodriguez said.
08:04 (In Tagalog)
08:17 (Music)