Benjamin Magalong Biography: Education, Wife, Children, Birthplace, Age, Net Worth

Benjamin “Benjie” Bañez Magalong is a Filipino politician and retired police officer best known for a long investigative career in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and for serving as the Mayor of Baguio since 2019.

Early life and education

Benjamin Magalong was born on December 15, 1960, in Baguio City. He attended local schools and later joined the Philippine Military Academy, graduating in 1982. His formal military and police training formed the foundation for his long public security career.

Police career — the making of an investigator

Magalong served in the Philippine Constabulary and the Philippine National Police for about 38 years, building a reputation as a focused investigator and manager. He held senior posts including Regional Director of Police Regional Office Cordillera, Director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Director of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), and retired as a Police Deputy Director General after serving as Deputy Chief for Operations.

The Mamasapano inquiry

In 2015, Magalong chaired the PNP Board of Inquiry into the Mamasapano clash, producing an official report and executive summary that examined decisions and lapses leading to the tragic operation. The BOI report is an important part of his legacy as an investigator focused on accountability.

Move into politics — Mayor of Baguio

After retiring from service, Magalong successfully ran for Mayor of Baguio in 2019 and assumed office on June 30, 2019. He ran on a platform prioritizing quick government action, environmental rehabilitation, peace and order, traffic management, education, and responsible tourism. He won re-election in 2022.

Mayoral initiatives

• Aggressive anti-litter and cleanup campaigns
• Infrastructure and waste management reforms
• Evidence-driven public health and contact tracing during COVID-19

International and national bodies noted Baguio’s contact tracing approach as a best practice.

National role during COVID-19

In July 2020, Magalong was appointed the national contact tracing “czar” to guide and train tracing systems across the Philippines; he later resigned from that national role in January 2021 following public criticism related to attendance at a private event.

Leadership style and public image

Magalong is widely regarded as methodical and results-driven, favoring transparent processes and data-driven policies. These traits carried over directly from investigative work into how he manages city programs and crises.

Personal life

He is married to Arlene Saneo and they have three children. Magalong remains active in civic initiatives and frequently appears in public discussions about governance, security, and public health.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Benjamin Magalong born?

December 15, 1960.

Where did he study?

He graduated from the Philippine Military Academy in 1982.

What important investigations did he lead?

He chaired the PNP Board of Inquiry into the Mamasapano clash (2015).

When did he become mayor?

He took office on June 30, 2019, and was re-elected in 2022.

Conclusion

Benjamin Magalong’s career spans disciplined military training, decades of police and investigative leadership, and a reformist approach to city governance.

Whether as a PNP investigator or as Mayor of Baguio, his public service emphasizes transparency, process, and measurable results.