'Magalong should stop sowing intrigue'

After accepting the resignation of Benjamin Magalong as special adviser to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), Malacañang has chastised the Baguio City mayor, saying his decision to quit was voluntary and urging him to stop sowing intrigue.

- ALEXIS ROMERO

Magalong has lamented a press conference conducted by Palace Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, which he said effectively sent the message for him “to stand down” and stop investigating flood control anomalies.

He said he appeared to have “struck a nerve” and probably “hit too close to home.” He did not elaborate.

At a Palace briefing yesterday, Castro said: “He voluntarily resigned. He was not asked to resign.”

According to Castro, the President appointed Magalong as special adviser, and not as an investigator as he had presumed.

"That could have happened if he resigned as mayor.

But the President said he chose to stay and to remain as mayor of Baguio City," Castro said.

"We hope we can avoid the guessing game and refrain from sowing intrigue, especially when it comes to my job," she said.

Magalong, who quit late last month, said he made the decision after Castro issued a statement that seemed to indicate that he did not have the right to investigate since he was just a special adviser.