Baguio mayor warns namedroppers

BAGUIO City Mayor Benjamin Magalong on October 15 issued a stern warning to persons or groups using his name to either gain privileges or skirt penalties.

“Stop or I’ll have you arrested,” Magalong warned.

The mayor said he has been receiving reports some people are using his name or flaunting their alleged connection to the chief executive to avoid paying penalties for illegal parking and other similar incidents.

“Reports reaching my office showed that some people use my name to gain either privileges on amenities or exemptions from penalties. This is to give notice that I am not giving any favor to anyone, not even my relatives and friends to be given any privilege especially immunity from the law on my account,” the mayor said.

“In view of this, I am asking the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) to arrest anyone who will use my name in any transaction,” he added.

In the past months, similar reports circulated of unidentified persons conning restaurants and other establishments into delivering food and goods also on account of the mayor.

The individuals were so enterprising they went to the extent of impersonating the mayor while calling restaurants, bars and other establishments and placing orders of food, liquor and others goods victimizing gullible business owners.

This prompted the mayor to issue a warning and advice to the businessmen to be wary and vigilant of such persons.

“These unscrupulous activities need to stop so I am ordering the immediate action against these persons,” he said.