MANILA — Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim slammed corruption allegations against the Bangsamoro government and Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo Jr.

He responded to reports that some political figures in the region claimed Lagdameo misappropriated billions of pesos meant for development projects in the Bangsamoro.

Speaking to media on Wednesday, Ebrahim said these were "false claims" against Lagdameo.

"Actually, never naman na-involve sina Secretary [Antonio] Lagdameo sa mga proyekto, kasi hindi dumadaan sa kanila yung BARMM. So walang dumadaan kay Secretary Lagdameo kasi hindi naman siya concerned doon sa mga project," he said. 

"Being the alter ego of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, SAP Anton Lagdameo plays a crucial role in navigating and solving issues in the BARMM that need the support and guidance of the President," Ebrahim said.

The BARMM has an asymmetrical relationship with the national government, which has retained some powers and devolved others to the Bangsamoro Parliament under the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.

The BARMM chief minister said their budget goes through the standard and rigorous process of lawmaking and appropriations.

But, he admits, there are about 30% unfinished projects in the Bangsamoro, which he said will be completed before the transition period ends. 

"Rest assured na hindi nagpapabaya ang mga implementing ministries sa pagmonitor na hindi maiiwanan ang unfinished na mga projects. Admittedly may mga hindi natapos, hindi pa natapos na project. Pero may mga timeline kami diyan na tatapusin natin," Ebrahim said.

The BARMM chief minister said the partnership with the national government has resulted in improvements, including the reduction of poverty incidence from 52.6% in 2018 to 23.5% in 2023.

'DAVAO MEETING ON ELECTIONS'

Ebrahim also clarified what transpired in the meeting with Lagdameo and other local officials on October 6 in Davao City.

"Ang instruction kasi ni Presidente, dapat itong election manalo pa rin ang [Moro Islamic Liberation Front] kasi nasa transition pa kami. Hindi pa natapos yung transition, so the President [is] ensuring na talagang matutuloy yung lahat ng isinagawa namin. So kaya nagpatawag sila ng meeting ng mga prospect ng mga gustong kumandidato sa BARMM," he said. 

(The President's instruction is for the MILF to win because it is still the transition period. So the President is ensuring that the programs will be completed, that's why he called a meeting on prospective candidates for BARMM)

Part of the final peace agreement between the MILF and the national government is the decommissioning of former MILF fighters and the transformation of camps into developed communities. 

The MILF has also founded the United Bangsamoro Justice Party to participate in elections.

"It's just a matter of trying to come up with a strong and viable team na kakandidato sa 2025 na local and parliamentary elections. So yun ang ginawa namin doon. Talagang walang na-involve doon na money, walang na-involve na pressure. It's really a negotiation kaya matagal," Ebrahim added.

(It's just a matter of trying to come up with a strong and viable team to run in the 2025 local and parliamentary elections. So that is what we did. There was no money or pressure involved but it's really a negotiation so it took time)

Aside from Lagdameo, there were also attacks aimed at the Bangsamoro government.

Ebrahim said he was not surprised with the accusations that came out during the filing period of certificates of candidacy for the 2025 national and local elections.

"Inaasahan natin ang mga ganitong klaseng bintang sa mga katunggali. Masasabi lang na propaganda ang mga alegasyon na ito para maimpluwensiyahan ang pagiisip ng tao against sa BARMM," he said.

(We expect this kind of allegations from rivals, and these allegations are just propaganda to influence people against the BARMM)

Ebrahim reiterated they are keeping tabs on all officials to combat corruption and are emphasizing the need for moral governance.

"Itong moral governance is basically an Islamic principle na mag-swear ka na you will not do anything against the teaching of Islam," the leader said. 

(This is basically an Islamic principle where you swear that you will not do anything that is against the teaching of islam)

He added agencies and projects also go through audits to check spending.

Ebrahim called on the public to steer clear from personal attacks and false accusations and be wary of malicious statements 'driven by self interest.'

Ebrahim's statement comes amid movements in the political landscape in BARMM, with the 2025 polls drawing closer.

The Bangsamoro government is studying its legal remedies against those spreading such claims without evidence.

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