KINUMPIRMA ng Malacañang ang pagbibitiw ni Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong bilang special adviser ng Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) na nag-iimbestiga sa anomalya sa flood control projects.
Sinabi ni Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez na ‘It is unfortunate Mayor Magalong resigned”.
Tumanggi naman si Gomez na kumpirmahin kung tinanggap na ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang pagbibitiw ni Magalong.
“The demand of the Filipino people from the Independent Commission on Infrastructire is higher than any one person. 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,” dagdag ni Gomez.
Sa liham ni Magalong kay Pangulong Marcos, sinabi nitong kaya siya nagbitiw sa puwesto ay para hindi masira ang integridad ng ICI.
“The Palace’s pronouncements concerning my designation, which run contrary to the terms of my appointment, have undermined the role and mandate entrusted to me,” pahayag ni Magalong.
Nauna nang sinabi ni Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro na pinag-aaralan ng legal team ni Pangulong Marcos kung may conflict of interest si Magalong sa ICI.
“Combined with circumstances that already cast doubt on the independence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, it has become clear that my continued service is no longer tenable,” dagdag ni Magalong.
Matatandaan na kinukwestyun ng labor group ang maanomalyang konstruksyon ng tennis court sa Baguio City kung saan nakuha ng St. Gerrard Construction ang kontrata na pag-aari ng mag-asawang Curlee at Sarah Discaya na sentro ngayon ng imbestigasyon. ( Daris Jose)