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Rodolfo Azurin Jr. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief  General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. speaks during a press briefing at the PNP Multipurpose hall in Camp Crame in Quezon City on January 5, 2023. General Azurin announced his resignation in response to Interior and Local Government  Secretary (SILG) Benjamin ‘Benhur’ S. Abalos’ call for all high ranking generals of the PNP to submit their courtesy resignation citing involvement of around 300 PNP generals in the illegal drug trade. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

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/175912618285320230105-pnp-generals-resignation-JC-2149.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false" style="text-align:left">Rodolfo Azurin Jr. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has been appointed as the new special adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Malacañang said on Monday, about 2 days after Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong <a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/26/magalong-resigns-as-ici-special-adviser-2258">resigned</a> from the post.</p><p>Azurin will work both as special adviser and investigator of the ICI, the Palace said in a statement.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" 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><p>“He will assume his duties after concluding his personal and administrative arrangements,” Malacañang said in a statement.</p><p>“The administration is confident that General Azurin’s experience and leadership will further strengthen the Commission’s mandate to uphold accountability and transparency in the use of public funds,” it said.</p><p>Marcos Jr. appointed Azurin as PNP chief in August 2022 and served for about 8 months before reaching the mandatory retirement age in April 2023.</p><p>During his tenure as PNP chief, Azurin admitted that the police force was suffering low morale over the alleged involvement of an intelligence officer in the questionable seizure of 990 kilos of shabu worth about P6.7 billion.</p><p>Azurin was also the PNP chief when then Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. ordered a purge of the police force and called for the courtesy resignation of all high-ranking police officials.</p><p>In a statement, Azurin expressed his gratitude to Marcos for his appointment. He also hailed Magalong, &quot;whom I consider as the most capable for the job.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Let&#x27;s work hand in hand to bring justice for the sufferings of the Filipino people which I believed the president intended too in creating the ICI,&quot; he said. </p><p>Independent Commission for Infrastructure Executive Director Brian Hosaka says he is looking forward to working with Azurin.</p><p>&quot;I guess he’s gonna be a good addition to the commission, bringing with him his experience as a police officer and head chief of the PNP. So we are looking forward to working with him,&quot; he said. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MARCOS THANKS MAGALONG</strong></div><p>Marcos Jr. meanwhile thanked Magalong for his brief stint in the ICI.</p><p>“The President thanks Mayor Benjamin Magalong for his service and contributions during his tenure,” the Palace’s statement read.</p><p>“His efforts in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the Commission have been vital to the government’s campaign against corruption in infrastructure projects,” it read.</p><p>Magalong resigned from the ICI last week after the Palace said that the President’s legal team was reviewing the Baguio City mayor&#x27;s appointment.</p><p>It was accused of possibly violating several laws that ban government officials from occupying two positions at the same time.</p><p>Several groups had also raised a questionable infrastructure project in the mayor&#x27;s home city.</p><p>Documents showed that the construction of a P110-million tennis court and parking building in Baguio City was awarded to St. Gerrard Construction Corporation, one of the companies linked to controversial contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya.</p><p>Magalong however asserted that the actions of his city&#x27;s bids and awards committee and implementing offices followed all legal procedures. -- <strong>with a report from Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><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/qj0jSuIuc6U?&amp;t=38s&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Azurin will work both as special adviser and investigator of the ICI, the Palace said in a statement.</p>

Azurin will work both as special adviser and investigator of the ICI, the Palace said in a statement.

Ex-PNP chief Azurin to replace Magalong as ICI special adviser: Malacanang

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Ex-PNP chief Azurin to replace Magalong as ICI special adviser: Malacanang

Katrina Domingo,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 29, 2025 02:21 PM PHT

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Updated September 29, 2025 07:42 PM PHT

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Benjamin Magalong

Rodolfo Azurin

Independent Commission for Infrastructure

ICI

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