Ched Rick Gatchalian

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

Magalong on ICI resignation: I chose to protect the integrity of fight vs. corruption

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175894178844220190919-magalong-gcta-senate-ap-19262363432185.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. <em>ABS-CBN News/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Saturday he resigned as the special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure not to &quot;abandon the fight&quot; against corruption, but to protect its integrity.</p><p>In a statement, Magalong commented on the alleged conflict of interest which earlier prompted<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/26/magalong-s-ici-appointment-under-review-malaca-ang-1528"> the Palace to review his appointment.</a></p><p>&quot;Once and for all, I would like to make it clear that there is no conflict of interest in my role. 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,&quot; he said.</p><p>Magalong stated that &quot;recent developments&quot; have cast doubt on the Commission&#x27;s independence, pushing him to leave to protect its credibility.</p><p>He resigned on Friday, September 26.</p><p>&quot;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,&quot; he said, adding that his commitment to pursuing truth and justice remains steadfast.</p><p>He said he would &quot;continue this crusade against corruption&quot; even outside the ICI and with the same resolve that he did in high-profile probes like into the Mamasapano clash in 2015 and of &quot;Ninja Cops&quot;.</p><p>Magalong previously led the Philippine National Police&#x27;s Board of Inquiry, which investigated the Mamasapano tragedy.</p><p>He also served as Philippine National Police deputy director general and chief of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.</p><p>The Palace earlier said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described Magalong as &quot;a good investigator&quot; after the latter submitted his own report detailing alleged irregularities in several infrastructures in Baguio and Benguet.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/26/magalong-resigns-as-ici-special-adviser-2258"><strong>Magalong resigns as ICI special adviser</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>PALACE: ICI &#x27;HIGHER THAN ANY ONE PERSON&#x27;</strong></div><p>In a statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Dave Gomez said the public’s demand for the ICI “is higher than any one person.”</p><p>“The commission, made up of distinguished professionals with unassailable integrity, has hit the ground running on day 1,” Gomez told reporters.  </p><p>“The palace respects the autonomy of [the] commission. Let&#x27;s allow them to do their job and deliver on their mandate,” he added.</p><p>He did not say whether the resignation had been accepted or not.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;CHANGE WILL NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT&#x27;</strong></div><p>Magalong warned that the fight against corruption could be long, urging Filipinos to be &quot;prepared&quot; and to uphold the spirit of resilience and courage.</p><p>&quot;Change will not happen overnight. As long as we remain vigilant, as long as we continue to resist, and as long as we keep faith in our country, then we will prevail,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;To my fellow Filipinos: I ask for your vigilance, your courage, and your sense of nationalism. We cannot allow corruption to define our future. We must stand together for transparency, accountability, and good governance for our country, and for the future generations of Filipinos,&quot; he added.</p><p>He stressed corruption is not just about every peso stolen, but it is also &quot;[robbing] the people of their safety and their future.&quot;</p><p>&quot;The crusade against corruption continues,&quot; Magalong said.</p><p>Since his appointment as ICI adviser, Magalong accompanied Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon to inspect public infrastructure projects across the country.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/13/palace-names-2-members-1-advisor-of-independent-body-to-probe-flood-control-mess-1358">Palace names 2 members, 1 advisor of independent body to probe flood control mess</a></div><p>While still serving as mayor, Magalong was designated an &quot;investigator&quot; and &quot;special adviser&quot; to guide the entire probe. </p><p>Critics warned that his &quot;dual role&quot; risked a &quot;half-hearted&quot; investigation.</p><p>Marcos formed the ICI to investigate the anomalous infrastructures and flood control projects over the past 10 years.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/14/palace-urges-magalong-to-submit-his-info-on-infra-corruption-to-marcos-jr-1511">Palace urges Magalong to submit his info on infra corruption to Marcos Jr.</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></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/eDWUSrOT_40?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Saturday he resigned as the special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure not to "abandon the fight" against corruption, but to protect its integrity.</p>

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Saturday he resigned as the special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure not to "abandon the fight" against corruption, but to protect its integrity.

Magalong on ICI resignation: I chose to protect the integrity of fight vs corruption

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Magalong on ICI resignation: I chose to protect the integrity of fight vs corruption

Ched Rick Gatchalian,

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 27, 2025 11:09 AM PHT

Read More:

Benjamin Magalong

Baguio

Flood control

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

Special adviser

ICI

Resignation

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