Marcos appoints ex-PNP chief as ICI Adviser, Investigator after Magalong’s exit

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appointed former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the first to serve under his administration, as Special Adviser and Investigator of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI).

The announcement was made through a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Sept. 29.

The designation came after Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong resigned from the special adviser post on September 26, citing Malacañang’s pronouncements that contradicted the terms of his appointment and the circumstances that cast doubt on the Commission’s independence.

“The Office of the President announces the appointment of former Philippine National Police Chief, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. (Ret.), as Special Adviser and Investigator of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI),” Malacañang disclosed.

In the same statement, it also expressed gratitude to the Baguio City mayor.

“The President thanks Mayor Benjamin Magalong for his service and contributions during his tenure,” Malacañang added, highlighting that Magalong’s efforts were vital in safeguarding the Commission’s integrity and credibility in the government’s campaign against corruption in infrastructure projects.

The Palace stated that Azurin would assume his duties once he concluded his personal and administrative arrangements, expressing confidence that his experience and leadership would help strengthen the Commission’s mandate to uphold accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.

The former chief was previously linked to the controversial Php 6.7-billion Manila drug haul in 2022 but denied any cover-up and has not been charged in the case.

His tenure as the 28th PNP chief began on August 1, 2022, and ended with his resignation on January 5, 2023, months before his scheduled retirement on April 24 of that year.

The ICI, created through Executive Order No. 94, is mandated to prioritize the investigation of flood control and other infrastructure projects within the last 10 years.