Former Maguindanao Gov. Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu has urged Malacañang to remain steadfast in the pursuit for peace in Mindanao.
Mangudadatu, who is running for congressman of Maguindanao del Sur in the 2025 elections, said in a statement that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is on the right track for peace on the island.
MANGUDADATU (FB)
He slammed the peace distraction in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao allegedly being waged by his relatives to dominate the 2025 elections after they were refused appointment as chief minister of the BARMM.
“The President is on the right track. ‘Wag siyang magpalinlang. ‘Wag siyang makinig dyan sa statement ni Mariam. Statement ni Teng. Statement ng anak. Tuloy-tuloy lang, kasi ‘yan ang tama. Maraming masaya dito sa amin,” Mangudadatu said in a video message on Facebook. (The President is on the right track. Do not listen to Mariam. Teng. Their children. Continue working for the common good. Many people here are happy)
“Maraming proyekto ang BARMM. Ngayon ka lang makakakita na halos hindi nuubos ang pondo. Doon mo makikita na ang nailagay dyan ay naniniwala sila, takot sila sa gobyerno natin at nirerespeto nila si Presidente Marcos na ipatupad lahat ang mga programa at proyekto,” Mangudadatu added. (The BARMM has many projects. Funds are enough. Officials believe in the administration and confident that President Marcos can implement all projects and projects for BARMM)
Mangudadatu noted that various social services have been implemented in the BARMM.
“Kung may mga disaster kaagad nandiyan ang BARMM. Kung kailangan niyo ang supply, nandiyan ang BARMM. Kung kailangan niyo ang edukasyon, nandiyan ang BARMM. Kung kailangan ang pagpagamot nandiyan ang BARMM.” (The BARMM is there when disaster strikes. If supplies are needed, the BARMM is there. If education is needed, the BARMM is there. If treatment is needed, the BARMM is there)
Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. and South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr., president of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, have denounced the corruption allegations leveled against the BARMM.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/10/10/corruption-allegations-vs-barrm-slammed
Lagdameo and Tamayo, in a joint statement on Wednesday, Oct. 9, “categorically denied the baseless accusations that the funds intended for the BARMM have been misappropriated or that politicians are being coerced to join the administration.”
Lagdameo and Tamayo aired the response came after former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu urged the SAP to address the allegations that he has been misappropriating funds intended for the development of BARMM.
Mangudadatu said that the funds meant for BARMM are allegedly going to Lagdameo, resulting in incomplete or substandard projects in their region. He called on Lagdameo to clear his name as Mangudadatu would prove his words.
Sultan Kudarat Gov. Datu Ali Pax Mangudadatu also criticized Lagdameo for allegedly interfering in the local elections. He said the SAP's actions have caused confusion and disorder in the political landscape of the BARMM.
A video was released by Mangudadatu's camp on Monday, October 7, where he also said that there were threats to remove anyone opposing Lagdameo from their positions.
“The allegations are false and malicious, intended to mislead the public. As Special Assistant to the President, I uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity in every aspect of my duties,” Lagdameo said.
He said the allocation and utilization of funds for BARMM follow legal, transparent processes designed to ensure that they are used exclusively for the development and inclusive growth of the region and its people. (With a report from Ivy Tejano)