Not in the Philippines

“I can take it. The tougher it gets, the cooler I get.”

—Richard M. Nixon

 

By Alex P. Vidal

 

NO Filipino politician will give up his post to show remorse for a wrongdoing while in public office.

So far, only the Japanese are known to commit seppuku or “cutting the belly” which is sometimes known as harakiri to die with honor as a form of capital punishment for samurai after they had committed serious offenses, or brought shame to themselves.

But not in the Philippines.

The decision of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong to resign as chief contact tracer in the National Task Force Against (NTF) Covid-19 came after he was under fire for attending the birthday party for celebrity Tim Yap at The Manor, a hotel in Baguio City’s Camp John Hay, last January 17. 

Because of his resignation in the task force, vaccine czar Carlito Galvez praised Magalong as “a true professional and an excellent mentor,” and a “big brother to everyone” who “has never hesitated to share his experiences, knowledge and expertise especially to LGUs who needed his advice on how to effectively contain local transmissions.”

Activist actress Angeles Locsin also joined the fray lauding Magalong for his “sense of accountability.”

“I know he’s [Magalong] all over the news lately, so, I just want to share our experience with him. He reminded us to wear our masks and face shields and to respect the locals by following safety protocols,” said Locsin. “He also wore his mask the whole time. Just putting this here not to justify pero para may ibang side naman :) (so that we see another side.).” 

Really? 

 

-o0o-

 

If Magalong were Japanese, he would have resigned as mayor, not just as chief COVID-19 contact tracer.

As of this writing, the Baguio City mayor reportedly nixed suggestions from those who did not agree with his decision to resign for him to reconsider his resignation saying it was “irrevocable.”

“It pains me to see my family, and my constituents, in anguish over this but I am committed to hold myself accountable and do what is necessary to rectify this misstep,” Magalong said in his resignation letter to Galvez Jr., the chief implementer of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF).

“Much as I have given my best to discharge my duties for the task force, this incident has been a reminder that a higher standard is always expected of me.”

It’s not a big loss for Magalong to quit in the NTF. 

In fact, his role in the NTF can be viewed as an “additional burden” for somebody who runs a premier city as chief local executive like Baguio and who doesn’t want additional responsibility other than his role as mayor of a big city.

The resignation could be a blessing in disguise if Magalong didn’t want anymore to go around the country “tracing” COVID-19 infected groups or individuals while at the same time running the affairs of Baguio City Hall.

Thus, I don’t agree that he should be heaped with accolades for “having the delicadeza” to resign his post in the task force against COVID-19.

He deserves to be praised to high heavens if after admitting his fault he at the same time gave up his position as city mayor. 

No ifs. No buts. 

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo)