Ombudsman Clears Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has been cleared by the Office of the Ombudsman from graft and malversation charges linked to a government construction project. The complaint, filed in April 2024, accused Magalong of granting unwarranted benefits to a contractor despite delays in building a government facility funded by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The four-word keyphrase “complaint against Baguio mayor” appears early in this article to maintain focus on the core issue. Former City Councilor Mylen Yaranon filed the complaint, alleging that Magalong allowed Khatib Construction to receive staggered payments despite the contractor’s poor performance. She also claimed that the same contractor won two additional city contracts that faced problems.
Details of the Complaint and Investigation
Yaranon insisted that Magalong should have terminated Khatib’s contract and accused him of “manifest partiality, evident bad faith, and gross inexcusable negligence” for failing to address reported discrepancies. She argued the mayor neglected his duty as custodian of DPWH funds.
However, a special investigative panel from the Ombudsman found no probable cause to charge Magalong with malversation, graft, or gross negligence. The panel noted an ongoing dispute between the city government and DPWH over the administration of a ₱50-million grant in 2021 for a multipurpose building in Barangay Irisan.
Dispute Over Project Management
The panel recommended that this disagreement be settled in a local court. Yaranon referenced DPWH officials’ correspondence stating that technical changes to the project were made without DPWH’s approval. Meanwhile, Magalong cited a contract clause giving Baguio the authority to evaluate and approve project details.
Mayor’s Defense and Contract Termination
Mayor Magalong denied favoritism towards Khatib Construction. He emphasized that he terminated the contractor’s involvement when they failed to complete two building projects near Wright Park. Furthermore, Magalong clarified that he was not involved with the bid and awards committee that granted those contracts to Khatib.
The grant from the national government was only available until 2023, and any unused funds were returned to the treasury, sources said. This fact supports the mayor’s position that funds were properly managed.
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