Mayor Magalong alleged discovery during ICI investigations: "Lahat sila, korap!"

• Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong revealed findings from his past probe on government corruption
• He said corruption has become like a “cottage industry” involving politicians, DPWH officials, bureaucrats, and contractors
• Magalong resigned from his post at the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) last September 26, 2025
• He said Palace pronouncements weakened his mandate and raised doubts on the commission’s independence

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong shared what he discovered during his brief time as Special Adviser of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

He spoke during a Senate hearing on October 2, 2025, answering Sen. Bam Aquino’s request to detail his past investigation on corruption.

Magalong said he saw three main players in corruption inside the government: crooked politicians, corrupt bureaucrats, and dishonest DPWH officials and contractors.

He stressed, All of them are corrupt.

He explained that corruption has turned into a “cottage industry” and even a “livelihood program” because of the large amounts of money involved.

According to him, five groups should have been part of the process—funders like lawmakers, DPWH, contractors, local government, and the community.

But two were pushed aside, leaving only a few groups controlling the system.

Magalong also said that agencies often resisted transparency.

When asked why records were hidden, they argued that people might alter documents or use them to attack them online.

For him, this showed the urgent need for stronger transparency and accountability measures.

The mayor resigned from ICI on September 26, 2025. In his letter to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., he said Palace statements weakened his role and mandate.

Magalong added that doubts about the independence of the commission made it clear his continued service was no longer possible.

Read BALITA's article here to learn about this story.

News, photos, or videos that arouse the interest of netizens would often go viral on social media, due to the attention netizens give them. These viral posts appeal to the emotions of netizens, and in rare cases, this could also happen to ordinary people, making them very relatable.

In a previous report by KAMI, a family of three was mercilessly shot and killed inside their store in Barangay Mallorca, San Leonardo, Nueva Ecija. Caught by CCTV, three men entered their store, closed the roll-up door, and shot the entire family to death. Before fleeing, one of the suspects even grabbed a bag and a mobile phone from the victim. In a report by Gary De Leon of TV 5's 'Frontline Pilipinas,' the family started getting threats after lending P1-M to one of the residents of their barangay; allegedly using the money for business.

In another viral local report, a 51-year-old public school teacher in Las Piñas City was stabbed multiple times by her own husband. According to the report of EJ Gomez in 'Unang Balita,' the 38-year-old suspect committed the crime inside the school's faculty room. Police authorities said the school has a security guard, but, being a familiar face in the school, the suspect managed to easily get in and out of the school. The suspect said he was there to talk to his wife and settle their misunderstanding, but unfortunately, it led to a big arguement.

Source: KAMI.com.gh