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Top officials of President Rodrigo Duterte’s pandemic task force will try to talk Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong into staying on as contact tracing czar after the official said his previously tendered resignation was irrevocable.

National Task Force vs COVID-19 plan chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr described Magalong as “irreplaceable” during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 2.

His deputy, testing czar Vince Dizon, said the two of them would speak to Magalong in the following days.

“Sa mga susunod na araw, mag-uusap po kami ni Mayor Magalong at Secretary Galvez at pipilitin po namin siyang kumbinsihin  na sana po huwag niya po kaming iiwan sa NTF dahil kailangang kailangan po siya ng ating mga kababayan,” said Dizon in the same press conference.

(In the coming days, we will talk to Mayor Magalong and convince him not to leave us in the NTF because he is needed by our countrymen.)

Dizon described Magalong’s contribution to government pandemic response as “invaluable.”

Magalong had tendered his resignation a week ago but Malacañang said this was rejected.

Duterte wants Magalong to stay

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said he was sure President Rodrigo Duterte also wanted Magalong to stay put.

The spokesman said he has heard “nothing but words of praise” from the Chief Executive about Magalong.

“So I am 100% sure that the President would want Mayor Magalong to stay on as tracing czar,” said Roque.

Magalong has said he would only stay in his post if Duterte himself asks him to.

Magalong resigned after he got intense criticism for attending a party in Baguio City where guests violated mask-wearing and social distancing protocols. He later apologized and asked for understanding from the public before quitting as tracing czar. – Rappler.com