The National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 has vetoed the resignation of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong as the country’s tracing czar, Malacañang said on Friday.
Magalong’s resignation came after drawing flak for his attendance in a party that allegedly violated health protocols in Baguio City.
“We confirm that Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong tendered his resignation as the government’s Tracing Czar,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in a statement.
However, his resignation was rejected by the NTF.
“Mayor Magalong’s resignation, however, has not been accepted. He continues to enjoy the trust and confidence of the leadership of the NTF against Covid-19,” Roque added.
Roque earlier said that President Rodrigo Duterte remained confident of Magalong despite his attendance at the party.
In his resignation letter addressed to NTF chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., Magalong said he wanted “to hold myself accountable and do what is necessary to rectify this misstep.”
He also pledged cooperation with the Department of the Interior and Local Government should it launch an investigation. John Ezekiel J. Hirro