BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong denied rumors on Monday that he had resigned, following his new appointment as special adviser and investigator of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
“False claims are circulating that I have resigned as Mayor of Baguio. I have not resigned. I remain your duly elected Mayor, fully committed to serving our city,” Magalong posted in his official Facebook page.
A media outlet incorrectly reported that Magalong resigned after receiving the ICI appointment from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 13.
“While I have been appointed to help look into alleged anomalies in flood control projects, this will not affect my mandate as mayor,” Magalong said.
“My foremost duty and priority remain with the people of Baguio,” he added.
On Sunday, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition urged Magalong to resign, arguing he cannot effectively serve as both mayor and a special adviser to the national infrastructure commission simultaneously.
The group cited a Section 7, Article IX-B constitutional clause that prohibits elected officials from being appointed to another public office during their tenure.
Interior Secretary Juanito Remulla justified the appointment, explaining that the role is unsalaried and that Magalong is “the most credible person for the job.”
