Cheyenne Suarez

Castro fires back at Magalong: 'Do not sow controversy without evidence'

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

<div><br/></div><p>MANILA — Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro on Thursday fired back at Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong after the local chief executive said that she triggered his resignation as special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).</p><p>Magalong previously said that he was insulted after Castro had announced in a press conference last month that he had no authority to investigate and that his appointment was under review.</p><p>He added that there could be personalities who wanted him out of the commission investigating anomalous flood control projects.</p><p>At Thursday&#x27;s news conference, Castro said, &quot;Huwag po niyang bigyan ng intriga na mayroong nag-utos sa akin na ibang tao. Kaya sabi nga natin, iwasan natin ang kuwentong walang ebidensiya.&quot;</p><p>(He should not sow intrigue by saying someone gave me orders. As we say, we should avoid spreading stories without evidence)</p><p>She said Magalong should show evidence of his assertion that anyone other than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to say what I did on September 26 and to name whoever he was referring to.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/5/magalong-s-resignation-from-ici-not-what-marcos-jr-wanted-palace-1221"><strong>Magalong&#x27;s resignation from ICI &#x27;not what Marcos Jr. wanted&#x27; — Palace</strong></a></div><p>Castro also called out Magalong for supposedly blaming her for his resignation from the ICI, and underscored that the Baguio mayor should have anchored his role in the panel on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s pronouncements instead of his own assumption.</p><p>She said that Magalong&#x27;s feeling are outside her purview and that he had resigned at his own accord.</p><p>&quot;Nasaan nga po ba iyong sinasabi nating papel na siya ay tinalaga ng Pangulo na imbestigador?&quot; the PCO official also said.</p><p>(Is there any documentation that the President designated him an investigator as he says?)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/7/-sana-wag-siyang-pakialaman-magalong-turns-over-ici-duties-to-azurin-1818"><strong>&#x27;Sana wag siyang pakialaman&#x27;: Magalong turns over ICI duties to Azurin</strong></a></div><p>She said that Marcos Jr. was only following the law in his pronouncements.</p><p>Magalong announced his resignation from the ICI last month after the Palace announced that his appointment was under review, following issues of a possible conflict of interest that were raised.</p><p>The Constitution bars government officials from occupying two capacities at a time.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/9/magalong-no-anomalies-in-closed-door-ici-hearings-0134"><strong>Magalong: No anomalies in closed-door ICI hearings</strong></a></div><p>Former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/7/-sana-wag-siyang-pakialaman-magalong-turns-over-ici-duties-to-azurin-1818">replaced Magalong as ICI&#x27;s special adviser</a>.</p><p>Magalong&#x27;s appointment to the investigating body also drew controversy after several camps questioned the P110-million tennis court and parking building in Baguio City that was awarded to St. Gerrard Construction Corporation.</p><p>St. Gerrard is one of the companies linked to Sarah and Curlee Discaya, who are among the personalities instrumental in the flood control project controversy.</p><p>Magalong has asserted that &quot;the actions of our Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) and implementing offices followed all legal procedures.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VH5Xps1TblE?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tX-91M_g7N4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5By8adn_xEU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Thursday fired back at Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong after the local chief executive said that she triggered his resignation as special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).</p>

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Thursday fired back at Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong after the local chief executive said that she triggered his resignation as special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).