PALACE REGRETS MAGALONG’S EXIT FROM ICI, ASSURES PROBE BODY WILL PURSUE ANTI-CORRUPTION MANDATE

MALACAÑANG has expressed regret over the resignation of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) as special adviser, but emphasized that the probe body shall continue its work in ensuring transparency and accountability in government infrastructure projects.

“It is unfortunate Mayor Magalong resigned,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave M. Gomez said in a statement on Saturday.

Magalong resigned as special adviser to the ICI in a letter addressed to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday.

Gomez stressed that the public’s trust in the ICI is larger than any individual and underscored the importance of allowing the commission to carry out its duties without political interference.

“The demand of the Filipino people from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure is higher than any one person,” Gomez said.

“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 added.

The ICI, established under Executive Order No. 94 issued on Sept. 11, is tasked with investigating anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control and infrastructure projects in the last 10 years.

During his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 28, President Marcos himself exposed the corruption in the implementation of flood control projects and expressed anger that ordinary Filipinos suffer from recurrent flooding during heavy rains.