Baguio Mayor Magalong skips Senate probe, wants to testify in House first

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong did not attend the Senate blue ribbon committee's investigation into anomalous flood control projects, stating he wishes to testify before the House of Representatives first.

In a letter to the Senate, Magalong explained his absence by saying he did not want to jeopardize potential actions against those accountable and committed to appearing before the Senate after his House testimony.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, the committee chair, expressed uncertainty about how to handle Magalong's justification, suggesting that the House might not have even summoned him yet.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, however, found the letter valid and sufficient for excusing Magalong from the hearing, suggesting the House might invite him soon.

Senator JV Ejercito noted Magalong's prior statement about wanting to 'bring the battle to the battleground' in the lower chamber first, a point questioned by Marcoleta.

Marcoleta countered that it is not Magalong's place to decide whether the inquiry belongs in the House or the Senate's Blue Ribbon committee.