Baguio mayor Magalong tells Tim Yap ‘not to worry’ about party
Image from Instagram/@officialtimyap
MANILA, Philippines — No less than Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong gave assurance to events host and social media personality Tim Yap that his help to local artists in Baguio and boost local tourism will be “considered” in the investigation into the party organized by Yap.
The social gathering, held at The Manor inside Camp John Hay, was heavily criticized after photos and videos surfaced showing guests not observing minimum health protocols such as physical distancing and not wearing masks. The party, coinciding with the host’s birthday, was held in the midst of a heightened alert in Baguio City over the surge of coronavirus cases.
Still, Magalong, who is also the concurrent contact tracing czar in the government’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic, said that he had told Yap “not to worry” about the probe, despite the public backlash.
“Nagusap na po kami kahapon at binanggit ko po sa kanya, I understand what happened. Everybody was just so engrossed, so engaged kaya kung minsan nakakalimutan,” Magalong said in an interview over Teleradyo when asked if he has spoken to Yap.
(We talked yesterday and I told him that I understand what happened, everybody was just so engrossed, so engaged that’s why complying with protocols was forgotten at times.)
“Sabi ko sa kanya, but don’t you worry about it. Yung tulong niyo na ginagawa sa siyudad ng Baguio for promoting, for saying good words about Baguio, doon sa aming mga artists, we’re considering all of this. Don’t you worry, we’ll have this thing investigated. Nahihiya sila e,” he added.
(But I told him, don’t you worry about it, your help in promoting Baguio City, for saying good words about Baguio, for your help to our artists, we’re considering all of this. Don’t you worry, we’ll have this thing investigated. They were embarrassed.)
Although some guests were compliant, Magalong admitted there were breaches in observing health protocols during the social gathering, which he attended with his wife. Other celebrities also attended the event, including actress KC Concepcion.
He further admitted that even his wife also removed her mask while taking photos with other guests.
In a television interview on Tuesday, Yap claimed that all the guests had tested negative for the coronavirus, as they had swab tests done.
The Department of Tourism in the Cordillera Administrative Region is also investigating the party held in Baguio City.
