Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who recently resigned as special adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), believes that the commission tasked to look into anomalous flood control projects remains credible.
‘Yes, yes. I still believe that the investigation by ICI will still be fine. Secretary (Rogelio) Babes (Singson), (retired Supreme Court Associate Justice) Chairman (Andres) Reyes (Jr.) are still there. (Former Philippine National Police chief) General (Rodolfo) Azurin (Jr.) is coming in,’ he said in a chance interview at the sidelines of the Budget Blockchain hearing in the Senate on Thursday.
‘I believe that as long as the investigation continues, just don’t reign over it, it will remain credible,’ Magalong added.
He said that prior to his resignation from ICI, its investigation had not received ‘pressure’ from outside forces.
‘When I was still there, there was no pressure,’ he said, adding that the ICI probe should be transparent and open.
‘It should be open so there would be no doubts. But I myself could say that I didn’t see anything being covered up there. I was attending its hearings. I go around but I also attend hearings. Is there any anomaly? Nothing, I would know,’ the Baguio mayor said.
Magalong’s role as special adviser to the ICI was placed in jeopardy over a tennis court project built by the Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction Company in Baguio City.
At a recent Palace briefing, Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a review to determine whether Magalong should remain as special adviser to the super body currently investigating anomalous public works projects in the country.
‘The President said that his case will be referred to the legal team to determine where he may be included, or where he should be properly inserted, so that the independence of the ICI will not be compromised and there will be no violation of any law,’ Castro said.
The issue stemmed from a P110-million tennis court project in Baguio City awarded in 2022 to St. Gerrard Construction Company, one of nine firms owned by contractor couple Cezarah ‘Sarah’ and Pacifico ‘Curlee’ Discaya.
The couple is under investigation for alleged involvement in problematic flood-control projects and for cornering a large share of these projects across the country.
Labor groups have recently questioned Magalong’s role in the ICI, stressing that he cannot wear two hats-as Baguio City mayor and as special adviser to the commission.
‘The mere fact that it was mentioned ‘you’re not an investigator, you’re just a legal adviser’. it simply means they didn’t want. stop investigating. That’s the message behind that. That message was simple. Don’t investigate. What’s my purpose then? Then I’ll just resign,’ said Magalong.
Magalong said he has not received any further instruction from the President since his resignation .