Duterte trusts Magalong despite backlash over Baguio party — Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte still trusts Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong despite criticisms over his attendance to eventologist Tim Yap’s birthday celebration where COVID-19 protocols were allegedly not followed, Malacañang said Thursday.

Magalong has admitted that health protocols were violated during the party held at The Manor at Camp John Hay in Baguio on January 17 as some attendees failed to wear face masks and observe social distancing.

“Humingi na po siya ng abiso na nagkaroon nga po nga po ng lapses at ang sabi po niya, pati sarili niyang misis ay pupuwede niyang iimposan ng fine,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a news conference.

“Hayaan na po natin na umusad ang proseso. Buo po ang tiwala ni Presidente kay Mayor Magalong, buo po ang kaniyang respeto kay Mayor Magalong and when he says that the law will be implemented, we trust that Mayor Magalong will implement the law.”

Magalong, the government’s contact tracing czar, said he and his wife attended the event to thank Yap and his group for providing assistance to Baguio's struggling artists, as well as promoting and applauding the city's tourism and COVID-19 response.

Roque said mere attendance to the event is “not actionable” despite the government’s prohibition on mass gatherings.

“Siya ba ay nag-observe ng social distancing? Siya ba ay naka-mask? So kung ganoon naman ay wala siyang liability,” Roque, a lawyer, said.

The Department of Health on Wednesday urged local government units to strictly enforce the community quarantine guidelines. — RSJ, GMA News