Benjamin Magalong resigns as ICI special adviser
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong resigned as the special adviser for the Independent Commission for Infrastructure only two weeks after being appointed to the role.
Magalong tendered his resignation to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday, Sept. 26, effective immediately.
"The Palace’s pronouncements concerning my designation, which run contrary to the terms of my appointment, have undermined the role and mandate entrusted to me. Combined with circumstances that already cast doubt on the independence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, it has become clear that my continued service is no longer tenable," he wrote.
He also clarified that he has "not neglected, nor will I ever neglect," his responsibility as the mayor of Baguio City, saying that his constituents' welfare and interests "remain at the core of my public service."
In a separate statement on Sept. 27, Magalong reiterated that there was "no conflict of interest" in his role.
"I would like to make it clear that there is no conflict of interest in my role. My work as Mayor of Baguio and my service with the ICI have always been guided by one principle: the highest standards of integrity in public service. However, recent developments have cast doubt on the independence of the Commission. Independence is the bedrock of accountability, and without it, our credibility is compromised," he wrote.
"I refuse to allow these doubts to weaken the ICI and its mandate. That is why I have chosen to step aside, not to abandon the fight, but to protect the very integrity of the fight," he added.
He also urged the public to be vigilant and courageous amid the "long fight" against corruption.
"We cannot allow corruption to define our future. We must stand together for transparency, accountability, and good governance for our country, and for the future generations of Filipinos," he said.
This came after Malacañang said that Marcos instructed his legal team to review Magalong's appointment as the ICI special adviser due to "possible conflict of interest."
“Nadinig po din natin ang kagalang-galang na Mayor Magalong na nauubusan na yata siya or busy siya or kinukulang na ang oras niya sa Baguio City dahil busy siya sa ICI. Hindi po gugustuhin ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na makaligtaan ni Mayor Magalong ang mga kababayan natin sa Baguio City. At kailangan unahin po rin ang mga kababayan natin sa Baguio City dahil siya po ay special adviser hindi naman po niya kinakailangan na ubusin ang oras sa ICI dahil hindi po siya miyembro ng ICI,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a press briefing.
The ICI is composed of former Department of Public Works and Highways secretary Rogelio “Babes” Singson, SGV Country Managing Partner Rossana Fajardo, and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. Former Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Hosaka was recently appointed as its executive director.
It is tasked to investigate anomalous flood control projects in the last 10 years, recommend the filing of appropriate charges, and recommend to the appropriate government bodies the enforcement of remedies, corrective actions, or legislative measures.
The fact-finding body will get assistance from the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, the National Prosecution Service, the DPWH, the Department of Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, and offices in the national government's executive branch "to accomplish its mandates."
It also has the power to conduct hearings, take testimony, and receive, gather, review, and evaluate evidence, issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, recommend to the DOJ the admission of a person as a state witness, and obtain information and documents from the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Flood control mess
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the ICI that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
On Sept. 11, DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon filed criminal complaints against officials of the Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office and four private contractors linked to such anomalies.
The government has also frozen the bank accounts of the contractors and DPWH officials with alleged involvement in the issue.
On Sept. 21, thousands of Filipinos took to the streets to protest corruption in flood control initiatives. In Metro Manila, the “Baha sa Luneta” rally, which was organized by activist groups and university students, saw thousands of people on the streets on Sunday morning. The “Trillion Peso March” that afternoon, referring to the trillions allegedly lost to systemic corruption, at the People Power Monument on EDSA saw the closure of all northbound lanes due to the swelling of the crowd.
