Mayor Magalong resigns as contact tracing czar; “I am committed to hold myself accountable”

Baguio City, Philippines – After the controversial party in Baguio City where health protocols were seen violated, City Mayor Benjamin Magalong filed resignation as the government’s contact tracing czar, the palace confirmed Friday, January 29.

The said controversy sparked criticisms against Magalong with many netizens questioning his commitment to implementation of rules and regulations against Covid-19 virus in his jurisdiction.

In his resignation letter to Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Magalong wrote that as a senior officer of the task force, he should have done an immediate spot correction during the recent incident where lapses in protocol were committed.

"I was involved in a recent incident where several lapses in protocol were committed. In hindsight, being a senior officer of the Task Force, I should have done an immediate spot correction of the errors that I witnessed at that time,” he wrote, adding that the incident served as a reminder that a higher standard is always expected of him.

“It pains me to see my family, and my constituents, in anguish over this but I am committed to hold myself accountable and do what is necessary to rectify this misstep,” the mayor further said.

Morever, Magalong wrote that he is ready and willing to cooperate if the Task Force or the Department of Interior and Local Government will have to launch an investigation over his actions.

Meantime, in a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the resignation has not been accepted for the country’s contact tracing czar continues to enjoy the NTF’s trust and confidence.

“Mayor Magalong’s resignation, however, has not been accepted. He continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the leadership of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19,” the statement reads.