Palace Press Officer Claire Castro has maintained that she had no involvement in the resignation of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), emphasizing that the decision to step down was entirely his own.
During a Palace briefing on Thursday, Castro dismissed Magalong’s claim that he resigned as ICI special adviser following Palace remarks suggesting he had 'no right or authority to conduct and lead an investigation,' saying the matter had already been repeatedly addressed.
"Una-una po, hindi ko po saklaw ang kanyang damdamin. Siya po ang boluntaryong nag-resign. Hindi naman po siya pinagreresign. Kung iyon po ang kanyang naging desisyon, hindi ko rin po saklaw ang kanyang pagdi-desisyon. Sinabi po niya na wala daw siyang karapatang mag-imbestiga," she said.
Castro also clarified that Magalong’s supposed authority to conduct investigations was never officially granted by the President.
"Iba po kasi ang pag-presume at iba naman po yung naging pronouncement ng ating Pangulo. September 15, sinabi po ng Pangulo na siya po ay special advisor. Hinanapan po siya sa isang programa kung nasaan po ang kanyang mandato, ang papel patungkol po dito," she explained.
"Ang sinabi lamang po ni Mayor Magalong ay he just presumed that he is an investigator. Maaaring ganun ang mangyayari kung siya po ay nag-resign bilang mayor. Pero ang Pangulo na nga rin po nagsabi na pinili niya pong mag-stay at manatiling mayor ng Baguio City," Castro added.
The Palace official appealed to the public to refrain from engaging in a “guessing game” or creating intrigue about her role in the Palace, especially those that could cast doubt on the President’s decisions.
"Sana po maiwasan na po rin sana natin yung mga guessing game na nagbibigay ng intriga, lalong-lalo na sa aking naging trabaho. Ang aking naging pronouncement po dito noong September 26 na ang role ni Mayor Magalong ay ibibigay muna sa legal team, yan po ay nanggaling sa Pangulo," Castro said.
"Huwag po niyang bigyan ng intriga na mayroong nagutos sa akinna ibang tao. Kaya sabi nga natin, iwasan natin ang kwentong walang ebidensya," she added.
In response, Castro challenged Magalong to prove his allegation that someone allegedly ordered her to issue a statement regarding the mayor’s role in the ICI.
"Kung sino man yung sinasabi niyang yun, kung may alam siya kung sino nag-utos sa akin at hindi ang pangulo, sa mga sinabi ko nung September 26, ipalitaw niya po. Dahil alam kong wala siyang mapapalitaw. Dahil yun ay walang katotohanan," Castro emphasized.
Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. replaced Magalong in his post as part of the independent commission investigating alleged anomalies and irregularities in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) flood control projects.
