Magalong admits health protocol lapses in party he attended with wife

Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong on Wednesday admitted that he and his wife attended the controversial party at The Manor Hotel where protocols on wearing face mask and social distancing were not observed as seen on viral photos.

"I would just like to clarify, I was there, nandoon ako. Inimbita ho ako," Magalong said in a radio interview, referring to the party organized by eventologist and socialite Tim Yap for his 44th birthday.

"Ang nangyari po nu'n, prior to that, si Mr. Tim Yap and his group, nagpunta po doon sa aming art exhibit at ang dami ho nilang nabiling art, paintings... Alam niyo naman ang local artists namin, talagang naghihikahos,” said Magalong, who is widely praised for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Baguio City and has been named as the country's "contact tracing czar."

A retired police general, Magalong 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.

“"Dinala na kami sa mismong dining, we were seated. May may umiikot na picture-taking, siyempre siguro sa excitement, yu'ng iba na-excite, nagtatanggal ng masks pa-picture picture. Pero ako po, lagi akong naka-mask,” Magalong narrated.

"Pero siyempre ako kasama ko 'yung wife ko. 'Yung wife ko naman siyempre there will come a time na excited 'yung wife ko, nag-picture," he added.

Magalong, however, said they nonetheless reminded guests to wear masks, which has been made mandatory in gatherings amid the pandemic.

Dancers

Also present during the party were some cultural dancers that, according to Magalong.

"Nu'ng natapos na po 'yung actual nas cultural show, it's a tradition, bababa po 'yung cultural dancers namin tapos i-invite ho ng visitors to dance with them, community dancing. Eh siyempre kumakain 'yung ibang guests, inimbitahan ng community dancing, sumabay na po sa community dancing, doon ko na nakita 'yung wala ho silang masks," he narrated.

Asked if he agrees that minimum health standards were violated during the party, Magalong said: "Meron pa rin, meron pa rin. Even my wife violated it, nagtanggal nga 'yan because may picture-taking, tatayo ka, magpi-picture-taking kayo tapos uupo ka uli."

Stressing that nobody is perfect, Magalong pointed out that it is not unusual for health protocols to be violated during social gatherings, big or small.

"One way or the other... 'pag nagkaroon tayo ng happenings sa bahay or sa mga friends natin, picture-taking, sometimes ang ginagawa na lang natin, 'O walang magpo-post,' ganu'n nga po ang nangyari," he said.

Nevertheless, the city's legal officer is already investigating the incident, Magalong said.

"Walang entitlement po ito... Tao lang po tayo, sometimes we are just so engaged in one particular activity na talagang masayahin, minsan nakakalimutan din po natin," he said.  —KBK, GMA News