By Prince Golez
Despite the controversial birthday party in Baguio City where guests reportedly violated coronavirus protocols, mayor and contact tracing czar Benjamin Magalong still enjoys President Rodrigo Duterte’s trust and respect, according to Malacañang.
In his televised briefing Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque asked the public to let the investigation against eventologist Tim Yap’s party, which Magalong and his wife attended, take its course.
“Hayaan na po natin na umusad ang proseso. Buo po ang tiwala ng Presidente kay mayor Magalong, buo po ang kanyang respeto kay mayor Magalong and when he says that the law will be implemented, trust that Mayor Magalong will implement the law,” Roque also said.
Despite harsh criticism of Magalong, the spokesman believes that the mayor’s presence in Yap’s party was “not actionable.”
“Alam mo, ang personal liability depends kung meron siyang personal na ginawa. Mere attendance is not actionable.
“Siya ba’y nag-observe ng social distancing, siya ba’y naka-mask? Kung ganon naman eh wala siyang liability. I cannot come up to any conclusion kasi hindi ko alam kung nagkaroon ng personal breach si Mayor Magalong,” he also said.
Magalong earlier admitted that Yap’s birthday celebration breached health protocols.
