Malacañang on Tuesday expressed support for the investigations in the alleged misuse of P6.4 billion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), saying that the issue needs to be addressed.
The House Committee on Public Accounts earlier said that a fraud audit needs to be conducted to see if there was partiality in the release of the P6.4-billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF) in the BARMM.
“Whatever is being investigated there truly deserves attention, and what needs to be corrected should be corrected,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing.
“We are aware that a hearing is taking place, and we respect that because it is their duty to conduct hearings, and this also relates to their oversight function.”
Castro clarified that the issue on the alleged fund misuse is not linked to the recent resignation of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim as chief minister of the Bangsamoro.
“This has nothing to do with the change of the Interim Chief Minister because Sir Ebrahim himself said that the reason he’s stepping down is to concentrate on the BARMM Parliamentary elections,” the Palace official said.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) called on the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to help ensure that the first parliamentary elections of the BARMM would be peaceful and orderly.
OPAPRU chief Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. made the call as the group marks its 57th founding anniversary on Tuesday.
He lauded the MNLF for its “legacy of resilience and unwavering dedication” that shaped the trajectory of peace in the Bangsamoro region.
“These elections represent a pivotal step in strengthening democratic governance and solidifying the gains of the peace process,” Galvez said in his message.
The BARMM’s first parliamentary elections is set Oct. 13.
Galvez said the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is committed to the full and faithful implementation of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement.
This landmark agreement, he said, remains the cornerstone of the pursuit for lasting peace and inclusive development in partnership with the MNLF.
“Our collaborative efforts, exemplified by the ongoing transformation of the MNLF members, are designed to empower former combatants and their communities, ensuring their meaningful integration into the socio-economic fabric of the nation. We are dedicated to creating a future where every MNLF member can live a life of dignity, security, and prosperity,” the OPAPRU chief said.
He urged the Bangsamoro people to draw strength from the journey toward peace.