COTABATO CITY, Philippines – The numbers didn’t add up. Billions of pesos, meant to fuel grassroots development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), had moved – but not in ways local officials expected.
Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Adiong stepped onto the House floor, raising the alarm on what he described as a troubling pattern: funds earmarked for barangays had allegedly been redirected, their purpose muddled.
At the center of the storm was the P6.35-billion Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), a financial lifeline designed to bolster local projects. Instead, whispers of manipulation and political maneuvering had begun to surface, forcing Adiong and civil society groups to demand answers.
In a privilege speech at the House of Representatives on Monday, January 27, Adiong said 400 village officials in Lanao del Sur were surprised to find large sums – ranging from P500,000 to P2.5 million – deposited into the barangays’ Land Bank of the Philippines’ accounts.
Shortly after, he said, individuals claiming to represent BARMM interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim allegedly pressured the village officials to withdraw most of the funds, leaving only P200,000, for unspecified “special operations.”
Civil society organizations (CSOs) have raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the disbursement and use of the funds, prompting calls for an investigation.
“Additionally, there have been observations from civil society groups and election watchdogs raising alarms that the disbursement of these funds have been arbitrary and partisan,” Adiong said.
BARMM spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun said in a press briefing that officials would investigate the alleged misuse and identify those who allegedly dragged Ebrahim’s name in what was described as a “special operations fund.”
“We will make sure that those using the Chief Minister’s name face the consequences,” Pendatun said.
Adiong said some barangay officials refused to comply, citing the lack of clear directives and proper procedures for fund utilization.
He pointed to guidelines under the General Appropriations Act and Local Budget Circular No. 155, which hold local officials responsible for planning, implementing, and properly utilizing the LGSF in accordance with budgeting, accounting, and procurement laws.
Meanwhile, in Cotabato City, Vice Mayor Butch Abu has requested a breakdown of LGSF projects after P150 million was reportedly deposited into city hall’s account in December 2024 by BARMM’s Ministry of Finance, Budget and Management.
In a letter, the Cotabato City Council said local legislators have repeatedly sought copies of documents related to the fund but have been allegedly ignored by the city’s executive department.
Abu, incidentally, is challenging the reelection bid of Cotabato Mayor Bruce Matabalao. – Rappler.com