MANILA, Philippines — The Federation of Free Workers (FFW) expressed concern over the appointment of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as special adviser and investigator of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).
In a statement on Saturday, FFW said Magalong could not be on “two boats,” as the Constitution said “no elective official shall be eligible for appointment or designation to any public office or position during his tenure, unless otherwise allowed by law or if such is ex officio in nature.”
“There is no doubt about the integrity of Mayor Magalong, as he is steadfast and well-known for his public service,” the labor group said.
“But no matter how good the intention, the Constitution is clear: you can’t ride two boats at the same time. If you’re a mayor, then you’re just a mayor. If you’re an investigator, then you’re just an investigator,” they said.
FFW called on the mayor to resign as the Mayor of Baguio City, should he wish to accept his role into the ICI.
“Serving as Baguio’s mayor and at the same time acting as ICI investigator are incompatible offices… If [Magalong] accepts the call of the President, the honorable thing to do is to resign as mayor, so that everything is clear, with no conflict of interest and no complications,” they said.
The labor union also acknowledged that Malacañang is yet to announce the ICI’s decision on who will be the chairman of the independent commission.
