Metro Manila, Philippines – Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has stepped down as special adviser of an investigative body on infrastructure anomalies after Malacañang noted a possible conflict of interest – to which he denied.
The Palace earlier said Magalong’s role in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is under review after learning about a supposed anomalous tennis court project in Baguio City by St. Gerrard Construction, a company owned by contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya who figured in multibillion-peso payouts to politicians and public works officials.
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Magalong said his resignation was effective Friday, Sept. 26, the same day the remarks came from Malacañang.
“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 said in a statement on Saturday, Sept. 27.
“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,” Magalong said.The mayor said he will pursue the crusade against corruption.“We should never allow corrupt political leaders and bureaucrats to steal the future of our children, and most importantly, the future of our country,” he said. “The greatest injustice is that corruption robs the people of their safety and their future.”Presidential Communications Office acting Secretary Dave Gomez described Magalong’s resignation as “unfortunate.”
“The demand of the Filipino people from the Independent Commission on [Infrastructure] is higher than any one person. The commission, made up of distinguished professionals with unassailable integrity, has hit the ground running on day 1. The palace respects the autonomy of [the] commission. Let’s allow them to do their job and deliver on their mandate,” Gomez said.
Magalong said the fight will be “long” as the “forces of corruption are deeply entrenched.”
He called on Filipinos to be vigilant, courageous, and have a sense of nationalism to hold accountable erring officials.
Magalong previously exposed lawmakers receiving kickbacks from infrastructure projects.
The infrastructure corruption is the subject of the ICI and Senate blue ribbon committee inquiry.
Lawmakers tagged in the purported corruption included Senators Chiz Escudero, Joel Villanueva, and Jinggoy Estrada, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
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