Vice President Leni Robredo thought that the ‘irrevocable’ resignation of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong from his contact tracing czar post sets a good example for public officials in practicing of accountability.
While recognizing the lapse of the mayor, Robredo commended Magalong’s sense of accountability after violating COVID-19 health protocols by attending a party in a Baguio City hotel.
“Bilib naman ako kay Mayor Magalong na malakas ‘yung sense of accountability. Iyong sa akin nga, kung meron mang nagawang lapse, iyong response, dapat ganito ‘yung response ng mga public officials na nalalagay sa ganitong situation,” she said on RMN-DZXL’s Biserbisyong Leni.
“Hindi natin sinasabing wala siyang lapse kasi siya nga mismong nagsabing meron, pero ‘yung response niya dun sa lapse, tingin ko na ito ‘yung dapat.”
On Thursday, January 28, Magalong wrote to Galvez to “formally tender my resignation as Contact Tracing Czar.” He said “several lapses in protocol were committed” in the birthday party for media personality Tim Yap that the official and his wife attended in Baguio City.
The mayor stressed that his resignation is final, as pandemic officials should practice “leadership by example.”
“Kung ‘di namin kaya ipatupad gaya ng nangyari noong insidente, better na lang siguro na mag-resign na ako because it’s all about accountability,” Magalong said.
