Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has tendered his resignation as special adviser of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) after President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. ordered a legal review of his role in the probe body.
“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,” Magalong wrote in his resignation letter addressed to the President on September 26, 2025.
“Combined with circumstances that already cast doubt on the independence of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure, it has become clear that my continued service is no longer tenable,” he added.
This developed after Malacañang through Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro clarified in a press briefing on Friday clarified that Magalong’s role with the ICI is limited to simply offering advice.
“The President recognizes Mayor Magalong’s contributions, but his appointment is strictly as a special adviser. He has no investigative powers and no authority over the PNP (Philippine National Police) or CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group), which remain under the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government),” Castro told reporters.
Questions about possible conflicts of interest and the body’s impartiality were raised after some groups pointed to alleged irregularities in the construction of a tennis court in Baguio City, owned by St. Gerrard, which they claim could cast doubt on his impartiality.
Castro acknowledged these concerns, saying the President does not want Magalong’s advisory role to interfere with his responsibilities in Baguio City or place the ICI under public suspicion.
“Mayor Magalong has mentioned he is running out of time for his work in Baguio because of his involvement with the ICI. The President does not want him to neglect his constituents,” she said. “Since he is not a member of the ICI, he is not required to spend all his time on it.”
But Magalong said he has not neglected his responsibility to people of Baguio City. He emphasized that their “welfare and interests remain at the core” of his public service.
Castro mentioned that the Palace is considering several options to address the potential conflict of interest, including possibly reassigning Magalong to another role or even revoking his appointment if deemed necessary.
“That will depend on the findings of the legal team,” Castro said. “If it’s determined that removing him is the best way to protect the ICI’s independence and avoid constitutional issues, then that could be the solution,” she added.
Before Friday ended, Magalong made his decision: “I hereby tender my resignation from the Independent Commission for Infrastructure effective immediately,” he wrote.
