MANILA — Six individuals were apprehended on Thursday after former Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu reported to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that the suspects offered fraudulent presidential appointments to his family members for P15 million.

According to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, the suspects falsely presented themselves as Malacañang employees with direct links to First Lady Liza Marcos, which was already debunked by the Palace.

“When we checked with the Palace, wala, hindi sila kilala dun and they issued a certification that they are not connected in any way sa Palace, sa Malacañang,” Santiago said.

The scheme was conducted via phone messages, where the suspects offered lucrative appointments, including parliamentary positions in the Bangsamoro region.

“Sabi niya, merong bakante na mga seats, baka gusto mo. Pero tig-P8 million. Sabi ko sige nga kasi na-feel ko na budol ‘to, scam ‘to,” Mangudadatu said.

“Kasi sabi ko kanino ba yan? Sino ba mga contact mo? Sabi niya si first lady at saka mismong si BBM ang magco-conduct ng oath pati si ES,” he added.

NBI operatives arrested the suspects at a hotel in Manila, where they unknowingly walked into a sting operation while meeting with Mangudadatu to collect payment.

One of the suspects, alias “Alex”, a candidate for councilor in Parañaque City, claimed he was only implicated by a friend who promised him a large sum of money if they could find individuals interested in securing a parliament seat.

“Merong SOP na involved na inaalok sa amin na once na makakita kami ng mga gustong pumasok na interesado ay may commission. So sa’kin naman, tao lang tayo and I’m running for a position, I need some money. Kelangan ko siya para ma-sustain sa campaign, sa pagtakbo,” Alex said.

He also said he did not receive any money and was merely set to share the commission after the scheduled oath-taking, which was supposed to take place on Friday.

The suspects will face charges of syndicated estafa and usurpation of authority. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of their operations.

“Last year meron na pong nahuli ang NBI na ganito so rampant po ang ganitong modus. We assume na grupo ito, iba-ibang grupo kasi based sa investigation namin meron silang kanya-kanyang methodology,” Atty. Van Angluben, Executive Officer of the NBI-CCD said.

Mangudadatu previously served as a congressman of Maguindanao’s second district from 2019 to 2022.

He was also the governor of Maguindanao from 2010 to 2019.