MANILA – Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong on Monday flatly denied rumors that he had stepped down from office, stressing he remains fully committed to leading the city despite his new role in the Marcos administration’s independent probe on anomalous infrastructure projects.
“False claims are circulating that I have resigned as Mayor of Baguio. I have not resigned. I remain your duly elected Mayor, fully committed to serving our city,” Magalong clarified in a Facebook post.
Magalong was recently appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as one of the advisers and investigators of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which will scrutinize alleged irregularities in flood control and other government projects. He assured his participation will not interfere with his responsibilities in Baguio.
“My foremost duty and priority remain with the people of Baguio,” the mayor emphasized.
The ICI will be chaired by former Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes, with former Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson and SGV Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo as members. Marcos created the body through an executive order, giving it sweeping powers to subpoena contracts, bank records, and other documents relevant to its investigation.
The commission is tasked to “hear, investigate, receive, gather, and evaluate evidence, intelligence reports, and information” on alleged anomalies involving officials, employees, and private contractors in the planning and execution of flood control and other infrastructure projects nationwide.
The President earlier said he would avoid appointing politicians to the commission, insisting on lawyers and career investigators to ensure credibility./PN
