Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has resigned as the government’s contact tracing czar, but it was rejected by the National Task Force against Covid-19, Malacañang announced on Friday.
“We confirm that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong tendered his resignation as the government’s Tracing Czar,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
“Mayor Magalong’s resignation, however, has not been accepted. He continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the leadership of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19,” he added.
NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. himself said that Magalong’s resignation was not accepted, citing his contributions in the government’s Covid-19 response.
“Alam niyo, napakasakit sa amin nung pinasa nga niya yung aming resignation paper pero hindi po namin matatanggap kasi napakalaki po ng ginawa po ni Mayor Magalong sa amin,” Galvez said in an event in Manila City.
(It was painful for us when he submitted his resignation paper but we cannot accept it because he has a huge contribution to us.)
Magalong’s resignation came after he drew flak for attending a party in Baguio City where he admitted that health protocol violations were committed.
As seen in videos posted on social media, guests in the party thrown by social media personality and events host Tim Yap did not appear to observe physical distancing and were not wearing masks.
“Much as I have given my best to discharge my duties for the task force, this is a reminder that a higher standard is expected of me,” wrote Magalong, who was earlier hailed for a fact finding report that found then President Benigno Aquino III accountable for the botched Mamasapano operation where 44 Special Action Force were killed.
READ: Netizens angry over Tim Yap’s Baguio City party amid heightened Covid-19 alert
But Yap assured that all guests present tested negative of the coronavirus and the gathering was meant to promote local tourism in Baguio City.
It was in July last year when Malacañang named Magalong as the country’s contact tracing czar.