BARMM chief flags corruption in region, vows crackdown on anomalies

Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua admitted that corruption is widespread in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), citing fraudulent procurement, bribery, and attempts to buy influence within the regional government.

Macacua made the remarks on September 11 in Barangay Bayanga Norte during the 50th founding anniversary of Matanog town where he served as guest speaker.

“We cannot deny it (corruption),” Macacua said. “If we look the other way, then we ourselves become the problem.”

He said that upon assuming office in March, he uncovered “numerous irregularities, particularly in the procurement process,” though he did not go into specifics.

Macacau claimed that a government official had offered him P27 million a month to “go with the flow of corruption,” which was later increased to P40 million.

He also further revealed that a job applicant once offered P5 million in exchange for an appointment, which he rejected and ordered to be returned.

“Corruption is pulling us down. We have to talk about this publicly, or else we are part of the problem,” he said.

He said he shared his concerns with Maguindanao del Norte Governor Tucao Mastura, adding, “How do we handle this? This is a difficult situation.”

Deputy BARMM Speaker Baintan Ampatuan responded by saying that the regional parliament’s finance committee would ensure that ministries spend their block grants properly.

The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) has been accused of making anomalous disbursements amounting to P2.2 billion, bypassing Commission on Audit procedures.