Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong formally turned over his duties as Special Adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. during a meeting on Tuesday attended by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon.
Magalong expressed confidence in Azurin’s capability to handle the role, citing their previous collaboration in the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force under now-Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
“Kilala ko siya at siguradong equally capable siya. Baka siguro mas magaling pa ‘yan sakin. Wag kayong mag-alala. Gagawin niya yung kanyang mandate,” Magalong said.
However, he warned against forces that might try to undermine Azurin’s authority, noting that such challenges were part of the reason he chose to resign.
“Basta importante wag lang siyang i-undermine, yung kapasidad niya. At bayaan siyang mag-imbestiga at sana wag siyang pakialaman, wag siyang pigilan. Kasi ang gusto naman natin dito malaman natin yung katotohanan… Wag sanang gawin yung ginawa nila sakin,” he added.
Magalong did not specify whom he was referring to but expressed frustration over prior statements made by Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, which he said were issued without consulting him.
His resignation followed Castro’s September 26 announcement that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s legal team was reviewing Magalong’s appointment over potential conflicts of interest as both a concurrent investigator and Baguio City Mayor.