Magalong in ICI under review over possible conflict of interest
Metro Manila, Philippines - Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s role in the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is under review as Malacañang took note of possible conflict of interest in the corruption crackdown, a Palace official said.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Friday, Sept. 26, that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the government’s legal team to look into the issue and Magalong’s juggling of his ICI task and that of mayor.
The Palace directive was in response to a revelation that the Discaya-owned St. Gerrard Construction had a tennis court project in Baguio City, which was allegedly anomalous as well
Marcos has named St. Gerrard Construction as among the top contractors that cornered billions of pesos in flood control projects.
Curlee and Sarah Discaya have testified in congressional probes about kickbacks in government projects.
“Ang sabi ng pangulo, ipapa-aral na ito sa legal team kung saan siya (Magalong) maaaring maisama or saan siya nararapat ay doon siguro pwede isama para hindi ma-compromise ang independence ng ICI at hindi magkaroon ng violation sa anumang batas," Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Friday, Sept. 26.
[Translation: The president told the legal team to study where Magalong can be placed in the ICI or where he can be a part of, so that the independence of the ICI will not be compromised, and that there will be no violation of the law.]
Asked about the possibility of Magalong exiting from the ICI, Castro said it would depend on the legal team review.
She said Malacañang has also heard that Magalong was supposedly giving more time for ICI than Baguio.
“Hindi gugustuhin ng Pangulong Marcos Jr. na makaligtaan ni Mayor Magalong ang mga kababayan natin sa Baguio City,” the Palace official said.
“Kailangan unahin rin ang mga kababayan natin sa Baguio City, dahil siya ay special adviser. Hindi naman niya kinakailangan na ubusin ang oras sa ICI dahil hindi siya miyembro ng ICI,” she said.
[Translation: President Marcos does not want Magalong to neglect his constituents in Baguio City. He should prioritize them because he’s a special adviser in the commission. He does not need to spend most of his time in the ICI because he’s not an ICI member.]
Some labor groups have pointed out that Magalong should not wear two hats as mayor and investigator.
There were also previous criticisms that Marcos should not have appointed Magalong to the ICI as this contradicted the president’s earlier remarks that no politicians would be part of the independent commission.
Castro clarified on Friday that Magalong was not appointed to investigate, and that he has no power over the police.
Magalong is not part of the three-member panel, and was appointed special adviser “who will act as an investigator,” Malacañang said during the announcement of ICI members.
In the executive order forming the ICI, Marcos said the body can invite and collaborate with experts, either public officials or private individuals, who can be designated as “special adviser,” if necessary.
Meanwhile, Castro said Marcos comes clean in the flood control mess.
“Alam ng pangulo wala siyang kinalaman sa ganyan kaya siya mismo ang nagpapaimbestiga,” the Palace official added.
[Translation: The president knows he’s not linked to the anomalies, that’s why he ordered the investigation.]
Castro also said the government will release a memorandum by next week for the lifestyle check on government officials, which Marcos previously ordered.
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