Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Malacanang on Saturday expressed regrets on the exit of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, but assured that the body will pursue its mandate to ensure accountability in the anomalous infrastructure projects.Magalong tendered his resignation as the ICI special adviser on Friday, days after he was named to the role.“It is unfortunate Mayor Magalong resigned,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave M. Gomez said in a statement on Saturday.Gomez maintained that the public’s trust in the ICI is larger than any individual, underscoring the importance of allowing the commission to carry out its duties without political interference.<div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/26/magalong-resigns-as-ici-special-adviser-2258">Magalong resigns as ICI special adviser </a></div> “The demand of the Filipino people from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure is higher than any one person,&quot; Gomez said. &quot;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.” Magalong said Saturday he resigned from the ICI not to &quot;abandon the fight&quot; against corruption, but to protect its integrity. The Baguio City mayor commented on the alleged conflict of interest which prompted the Palace to review his appointment.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/27/magalong-on-ici-resignation-i-chose-to-protect-the-integrity-of-fight-vs-corruption-1109">Magalong on ICI resignation: I chose to protect the integrity of fight vs corruption</a></div>&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.Magalong stated that &quot;recent developments&quot; have cast doubt on the Commission&#x27;s independence, pushing him to leave to protect its credibility.&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.The ICI, assembled under Executive Order No. 94 issued on Sept. 11, is tasked to probe anomalies in multibillion-peso flood control and infrastructure projects in the last 10 years.

Malacanang on Saturday expressed regrets on the exit of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, but assured that the body will pursue its mandate to ensure accountability in the anomalous infrastructure projects.

Malacanang on Saturday expressed regrets on the exit of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, but assured that the body will pursue its mandate to ensure accountability in the anomalous infrastructure projects.

Palace rues Magalong's exit from ICI, says probe on anomalous infra projects will continue

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Palace rues Magalong's exit from ICI, says probe on anomalous infra projects will continue

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 27, 2025 09:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Benjamin Magalong Jr.

ICI

Malacanang Palace

Baguio City Mayor

Flood Control Projects

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