Ex-PNP chief replaces Magalong as ICI adviser
President Marcos on Monday named former Philippine National Police chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. as special adviser and investigator of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
Azurin replaces Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who had served only as ICI special adviser but not as an investigator.
“The administration is confident that General Azurin’s experience and leadership will further strengthen the Commission’s mandate to uphold accountability and transparency in the use of public funds,” a statement from the Office of the President (OP) on Monday read.
According to the OP, Azurin will formally assume his duties after completing his personal and administrative arrangements.
Meanwhile, the President expressed gratitude to Magalong for his service and contributions during his tenure.
The OP noted that Magalong’s efforts in safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the commission had been vital to the government’s campaign against corruption in infrastructure projects.
An llocano like Mr. Marcos, Azurin was the first PNP chief appointed under the Marcos administration, taking on the post a month into the President’s term.
He stepped down in April 2023 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.
Azurin is a member of the Philippine Military Academy “Makatao” Class of 1989.
He served as commander of the Northern Luzon Police Area and the Southern Luzon Police Area, and also held star-rank positions at Camp Crame, including as head of the Directorate for Comptrollership and the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management.
Role reviewed
In a briefing earlier on Monday, Palace press officer Claire Castro confirmed that Mr. Marcos had accepted Magalong’s resignation.
“The President has received and respects Mayor Magalong’s decision. Our President acknowledges Mayor Magalong’s competence, but we pray that his resignation as special adviser will not affect the work of the ICI, as the commission is fully staffed,” she said.
The Baguio mayor’s resignation from the ICI followed Mr. Marcos’ order to review whether he should remain as special adviser to the “super body,” which is investigating questionable public works projects.
The review was prompted by a P110-million tennis court project in Baguio City, awarded in 2022 to St. Gerrard Construction, one of nine firms owned by contractor-couple Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya.
Labor groups also recently questioned Magalong’s role in the ICI, arguing that he cannot simultaneously serve as Baguio City mayor and special adviser to the commission.
Call for transparency
Also on Monday, past and present members of the House of Representatives urged the ICI to livestream its hearings on the controversial flood control projects, so the public can monitor developments.
Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, and former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares separately asked the ICI to uphold transparency, noting that the people have been engaged in the latest corruption scandal.
“This is very disappointing and frustrating—a body with limited powers to investigate anomalous flood control projects, and which is merely a recommendatory board, is not fully accessible to the public,” De Lima said in a statement.
“When everyone is fully engaged on the issue of corruption as revealed by the congressional hearings, here comes ICI denying what the public wants. Saang banda ang transparency dun (Where is transparency there)?” she added.
“Now that Filipinos are aware of a huge conspiracy and corruption in flood control and other government projects, we should not deprive them of the chance to understand details and join discussions,” De Lima said. —WITH A REPORT FROM GABRIEL PABICO LALU
