Scammed and shammed

First, the Filipino people were scammed of billions of pesos by corrupt legislators and government officials.

- CITO BELTRAN

Last week, Filipinos discovered that they were “shammed,” believing that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) had the full support and blessing of President Bongbong Marcos and would be allowed to carry out their mandate.

Instead, a public relations demolition job was conducted against ICI special adviser Mayor Benjie Magalong, where he was portrayed as conflicted and possibly remiss in his duties as mayor of Baguio City.

“Adding insult to injury,” aspersions from leftists also claimed he had potential conflict of interest because a tennis court in Baguio City was built by one of the contractors / companies now implicated in the multibillion-peso infrastructure anomalies and ghost projects.

How can such a claim be dignified by the public and Malacañang, knowing Mayor Magalong was the principal or prime mover for investigating DPWH anomalies? He was the one who called out Congress on the anomalies!

Like twisting the knife in his back, Malacañang claimed that “Magalong was just appointed as ‘Special Adviser’ and not ‘Lead Investigator’ or in any other form of investigation. He was not appointed to investigate and has no power over the PNP or the CIDG because these are under the DILG.”

Thanks to netizens, digital evidence immediately surfaced on Facebook that on Sept.13, 2025 Malacañang announced: “Mayor Benjamin ‘Benjie’ Magalong — Special Advisor and who will act as Investigator for the ICI. Mayor Magalong is a career law enforcement officer who served as deputy director general of the Philippine National Police.”