Magalong open to joining independent infra probe body

Metro Manila, Philippines - Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he is willing to be part of an independent commission that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. plans to create to investigate alleged irregularities in government infrastructure projects.

In an interview with ‘The Newsmaker,’ Magalong was asked if he had received an invitation to join the commission, which Marcos earlier said would be composed of prosecutors, judges, and investigators.

“Well, I defer to the president. Kung gusto niya akong maging member, then pa naman [If he wants me to be a member, then I will]. I’m very much willing,” Magalong said.

The mayor, a retired police general, said the body’s effectiveness would hinge on two things: “First, it has to be very independent. Dapat yung kanyang authority talagang malawak din but not subject to abuse as well” [Its authority should be broad but not subject to abuse].”

He said agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Commission on Audit (COA), and the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) must be fully transparent in releasing documents and evidence to the commission.

Magalong said the probe coverage should be broad to include lawmakers and other politicians.

“From an investigator’s perspective, talagang it should be independent. ‘Di pwedeng someone in the organization investigating also his colleagues in the organization,” he said. [Translation: It really should be independent. Someone in the organization cannot investigate his own colleagues],” he said.

He questioned a separate probe of the House of Representatives on the alleged corruption.

“Hindi ko rin alam kung saan pupunta itong investigation ng House of Representatives… I’m not very confident,” he said.

[Translation: I also don’t know where the House investigation will go… I’m not very confident.]

Meanwhile, in an ambush interview in Subic, Zambales, Marcos said he preferred to keep mum about the planned investigative body for the meantime.

“I don’t want to talk about it until it’s complete. Di pa namin nabuo ‘yung plano eh… pero malapit na ‘yan, very, very soon,” Marcos said.

[Translation: We haven’t finalized the plan yet… but it’s coming very, very soon.]