Baguio's Magalong ready to face inquiry on corruption claims

BAGUIO CITY – Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he is waiting to be called to Congress after he claimed that there were lawmakers receiving payoffs from government projects.

In an interview during the unveiling of the Artificial Groundwater Recharge Facility in Baguio, Magalong shared that he was “very enthusiastic” to attend but has yet to receive a summons.

“In public naman nagsalita si Congressman (Terry) Ridon na ipapatawag niya ko sa Kongreso… Naghihintay nga ko at nagtataka nga ko hanggang ngayon wala pa. Ongoing lang naman yung hearing nila,” he told reporters on Friday.

(Congressman Ridon did publicly say that he will summon me to Congress… I have been waiting and wondering why it hasn’t come yet. Their hearing is ongoing.)

His statement followed after Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon challenged Magalong to show evidence backing up his claims of congressmen receiving 30% to 40% kickbacks.

“Ang gusto nating makita mula kay Mayor Magalong, with due respect to him, asan po yung ebidensya na 30% [or] 40% kinukuha ng legislators, particularly ng mga kongresista o mga senador? As soon as we do a review, he should be invited to provide an actual presentation doon po sa kaniyang binabanggit na 30 to 40%,” Ridon said in an interview.

(What we need to see from Mayor Magalong, with due respect to him, is the evidence that legislators, particularly congressmen or senators, get 30% [or] 40%? As soon as we do a review, he should be invited to provide an actual presentation on the 30 to 40% that he was talking about.)

“We have to be able to subject it to actual scrutiny as well, kung talaga bang may batayan. Wala naman po tayong sinisino dito eh, kung mayroon talagang legislator involved, kung mayroon po talagang agency official involved…. Kung maipakita niya kung sino ang mga yun, well and good. Papalakpanan natin siya,” he added.

(We have to be able to subject it to actual scrutiny as well, if there really is a basis. We are not shielding anyone here, if there really was a legislator or agency official involved…. If he can show who they are, well and good.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News