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Magalong won't recuse self from probe on Tim Yap party


Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Thursday he will not recuse from the investigation on the party organized by celebrity influencer Tim Yap where health protocols were allegedly not observed.

Magalong and his wife attended the event -- criticized by netizens after photos of the alleged protocol violations went viral -- held at the Manor Hotel last January 17.

"Hindi naman. Bakit naman ako magi-inhibit eh nandoon naman ako, nakita ko naman sino 'yung mga nag-violate?" Magalong said in an interview on Unang Hirit.

"Alam mo kasi, kung titingnan mo 'yung picture, talagang makikita mo may violation pero you have to know what really happened behind it also," he added.

Magalong has admitted that health protocols were violated during Yap's birthday party. He said some attendees might have forgotten to wear face mask when they were invited by cultural dancers to dance.

"Habang kumakain kami, palabas na 'yung cultural dancers namin and alam mo kasi after the cultural dance, bababa 'yung mga cultural dancers, part of the tradition was to invite 'yung mga guests to dance 'yung community dance. Umiikot 'yan eh habang pinapatunog 'yung gong," he said.

"Siyempre habang kumakain ka, 'yung iba siguro nakalimutan na nilang magsuot na dahil inimbita na silang sumayaw, 'yun na 'yun, nakalimutan... umikot... di naman lahat nakalimutan mag-mask, may mga makikita ka ring naka-mask," Magalong added.

Magalong, who is also the country's "contact tracing czar," said attendees are likely to be penalized for their alleged violations of city ordinances and the joint circular of the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment.

"May mga potential na tatlong violation, city ordinance, dalawang city ordinance 'yung mask, mayroon pang isa 'yung physical distancing and then the joint DTI and DOLE circular," he said.

According to Magalong, the city government already sent a notice of violation to the hotel where the party was held. At present, the personalities who attended the birthday party are still being "ascertained."

Magalong said he is expecting the response of the establishment within the day.

"Nagbigay na kami ng notice of violation sa establishment tapos ina-ascertain na lang kung sino 'yung mga taong nandoon. Ang sabi ng Manor isa-submit daw nila 'yung kanilang reply ngayong araw and at the same time, itong aming investigators din they are identifying sino 'yung mga nagviolate ng protocols natin," he said.

Yap has defended the gathering, saying the videos do not tell the whole story. He also said it should not be called a party as the event was held  to promote Baguio City's tourism industry, which was hit by the pandemic. —KBK, GMA News

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