Ask Bonget, not Benjie

Some congressmen are clearly deflecting and turning the tables on the “Cong. Tractor” scandal by casting doubts and aspersion on Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong. At least three have already called out Magalong.

One congressman challenged Magalong to go to the House of Representatives and justify his claims about “corrupt congressmen, contractors and DPWH officials.” Another suggested that Magalong has issues with the congressman in his area and should focus on that and not drag in other congressmen.

Most recently, another congressman demanded an apology to the HOR and Moro people for calling the upcoming investigation of Congress on the flood control projects a “moro-moro.”

The term “moro-moro” is a reference to a folk drama or play depicting historical conflicts. It is generally used as figure of speech and citing it as an insult to Muslims in the Philippines is a stretch.

In terms of PR tactics, throwing the ball at Mayor Magalong seemed like an effective diversionary move, knowing that Mayor Magalong would not want to play ball in the home court of the offended where congressmen, guilty or not, play by their rules, often using their “contempt powers.”

If Magalong refuses to cooperate, his enemies would simply claim he was just “all talk with no proof.” Some might even dare to call the former Special Action Force veteran “chicken” or scared.

But the counter PR offensive of some consultants quickly backfired. For starters, Mayor Benjie Magalong has long been talking about the corruption at the DPWH and over pricing of public works projects, but members of Congress simply ignored him and did nothing about it.

Others accused him of aspiring for a higher position, maybe Congress or Senate, but he remained focused on being mayor of Baguio City, now on his last term.

As for having issues with the congressman of the district, the fact is the former congressman lost in the last election. That clearly reflects that it was the majority of voters in Baguio who had issues with the former congressman and not Magalong.

While it was Mayor Magalong who did most of the talking and the exposé on corruption, several others have spoken out on corruption, such as Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson. Sadly, they were ignored or silenced by a “cabal” of operators.

Someone else deserves “blame” and credit for causing so much controversy and pain upon the “Cong. Tractors.” Someone else gave license for media and the public to hound the shameless people in power who stole us blind.

That someone else is President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. It was he who called out the “Walang Hiya” during the 4th SONA, right there in the House of Representatives. Members of Congress loudly clapped as PBBM called the corrupt while the public watched in disbelief and revulsion.

It was PBBM who declared that investigations are forthcoming. It was President Bongbong Marcos who visited Marikina City, the province of Bulacan where he investigated the state of flood control projects, showed the media documents on government projects that were questionably done or never done.

If Congress wants to find out what the scandal is all about, invite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and ask him for his proof or evidence that there have been extensive corruption in public works projects.

Ask the President if he is grandstanding, the same way critics said of Magalong. Ask PBBM if he is just angry because his budget got mangled in Congress. Ask President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to name names.

While they are at it, maybe the valiant crusaders in Congress can ask the President if he is just staging this crusade to vindicate his family’s honor. Is he doing it for pogi points to boost his popularity? Or is it all a zarzuela until 2028?

Mr. Congressman, Ask Bonget, not Benjie…if you dare.

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“Karma is a bitch” they say, and this realization must be in the minds of officials at the Bases Conversion  and Development Authority (BCDA).

Sometime mid-January 2025 or seven months ago, the BCDA board unanimously approved a resolution and announced that former Baguio City mayor Mauricio Domogan “is not allowed to play at the Camp John Hay Golf Club.”

Domogan claimed that the ban was due to the class suit they filed versus the club to protect their rights as John Hay golf club members. The class suit started with 10, went down to three, until only two were left.

From January to May, people assumed that Domogan’s suit and quest would amount to nothing, some even dismissing him as politically or legally irrelevant and not a threat to the club or the BCDA.

But to the surprise and shock of his enemies, Domogan was once again elected as congressman of Baguio City and, as if fate added insult to injury, he was appointed as chairman of the committee on bases conversion.

In a clear effort to placate the banned player, BCDA rolled out the red carpet for Congressman Domogan and declared that he was more than welcome to play at the golf course, which to date he has ignored.

What can’t be ignored is the single-minded determination of Congressman Domogan for the BCDA to recognize and abide by the “19 conditionalities” entered into by Baguio City and BCDA for the development of Camp John Hay.

Those conditionalities include payment of Baguio City’s share in Camp John Hay revenues amounting to hundreds of millions, restoration of three barangays that were never part of the agreement and, last but not least, return of Camp John Hay to Baguio City based on the original city charter when the lease expires. Ouch!