Camille Naredo

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, conduct an on-site inspection of major infrastructure projects in Pampanga on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) special adviser and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, conduct an on-site inspection of major infrastructure projects in Pampanga on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. The officials checked the progress of the San Agustin Bridge in Camba and the Candating flood-control project in Arayat, both designed to improve mobility and strengthen the province’s disaster resilience against flooding.

Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

FLOOD CONTROL PROBE

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178643365886420250923-flood-cointrol-pampanga-ici-MT16.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, conduct an on-site inspection of major infrastructure projects in Pampanga on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, together with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, conduct an on-site inspection of major infrastructure projects in Pampanga on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA — The Palace on Monday fired back at Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who earlier criticized the government for its perceived slowness in the flood control investigations.In her response, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pointed out Magalong&#x27;s investigation of rock netting which also took several years but ended up with no one being held accountable.&quot;Kung nababagalan po ang isang mayor katulad ni Mayor Benjie Magalong, balikan natin ang mga kuwento at istorya taong 2019 inamin ni Mayor Benjie Magalong na sinimulan na niyang mag-imbestiga patungkol sa rock netting – 2019,&quot; Castro said.&quot;Pero na-callout siya ni Senator Trillanes, taong 2025, September 10, 2025 ay na-callout siya at sinabing matagal nang naimbestigahan ang rock netting according to the mayor, pero wala pa siyang napangalanan at wala pa siyang naidemanda man lang,&quot; she added.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/11/house-prosecutors-to-magalong-name-those-behind-budget-insertions-allegations-1427">House prosecutors to Magalong: Name those behind &#x27;budget insertions&#x27; allegations</a></div>Castro said Magalong started the investigation into the rock netting project in Benguet in 2019, but after six years, it resulted in nothing. &quot;So sino po ba kaya ang mas mabagal? Kung mayroon kakayanang mamintas at magturo, dapat may kakayanan din kumilos para makatulong sa gobyerno at hindi puro pamimintas lang ang alam at pamilya,&quot; Castro added.The Palace Press Officer also criticized Magalong for being unable to substantiate a lot of his claims.&quot;Marami siya muli nababanggit ng mga issues pero wala pa rin siyang napapangalanan. Na andiyan pa rin, siguro mas maganda po na hingin niyo rin sa kanya kung ano iyong naging resulta sa 30-30-30. At saka iyong 7-7-7, namatay ang isyu, walang anumang naimbestigahan,&quot; Castro said.&quot;And at the same time, mayroon din siyang sinabing 90% di umano ang corrupt sa House of Representatives, pero wala pa rin siya napapangalanan,&quot; she added.Castro also pointed out Magalong was not able to hold anyone accountable for extrajudicial killings.&quot;Maski na po patungkol sa EJK, sinabi niya na alam niya na maraming pumatay lang para pumatay at may report siya. Pero hanggang ngayon wala pa rin siyang narereklamo patungkol sa mga nang-abuso di umano sa EJK,&quot; she said.&quot;And maganda po siguro itong mabanggit dahil noong siya tinanong naman patungkol sa impeachment trial na kinakapalooban or involving the Vice President, ang kanyang sinabi lamang ay, &#x27;I would like to invoke my right to remain silent&#x27;. So parang magkaiba ang kanyang panuntunan pagdating sa ibang tao at sa Bise Presidente,&quot; she added.Earlier, members of the House prosecution panel also urged Magalong to identify those who are allegedly involved in budget insertions in flood control projects.Magalong earlier expressed disappointment over the flood control investigation and made allegations against unnamed House prosecutors during a television interview on Monday.

The Palace on Monday fired back at Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who earlier criticized the government for its perceived slowness in the flood control investigations.

The Palace on Monday fired back at Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who earlier criticized the government for its perceived slowness in the flood control investigations.

Castro fires back at Magalong, points out slow rock netting investigation

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Castro fires back at Magalong, points out slow rock netting investigation

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 11, 2026 03:35 PM PHT

Read More:

flood control

Baguio City

Benjamin Magalong

Claire Castro

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