Duterte ‘surely’ wants Magalong to stay as tracing czar — Palace

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte surely wants Baguio City mayor Benjamin Magalong to stay as the country’s contact tracing czar, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“I have heard with my own two ears nothing but words of praises for mayor Magalong from the President,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

“So of course, I am sure, 100 percent sure, that the President would want mayor Magalong to stay on as tracing czar,” he added.

Magalong tendered his irrevocable resignation from his post as tracing czar, but admitted he cannot refuse if the President asks him to stay in his post.

National Task Force against Covid-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. urged Magalong to stay, saying his expertise in the matter is unmatched.

Earlier, Magalong admitted to having lapses with compliance to health protocols in a party thrown by events host Tim Yap in Baguio City which he attended with his wife. The celebration drew flak from netizens, saying the incident smacks of privilege among the powerful and wealthy.

“I’m not denying that I failed to perform my job. I should have reminded people, I should have cautioned people to wear their masks but hindi ko nagawa yun (but I wasn’t able to do that),” Magalong has said.

EDV