The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao denied on Tuesday, October 8, the corruption allegations aired by former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Secretary Suharto "Teng" Mangudadatu against Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr.
BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim denounced the allegations and called them "libelous, fabricated, and filled with ill intent."
Ebrahim said the allegations were intended to tarnish the name of Lagdameo and undermine the Bangsamoro government.
"As chief minister of the BARMM, I firmly denounce the false claims of corruption in the Bangsamoro government that besmirch the name of Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr.," Ebrahim said.
Ebrahim said that they are exploring legal remedies against those who slandered them without substantiated evidence.
With the region nearing its first parliamentary elections, Ebrahim urged the public to refrain from personal attacks and unfounded accusations, advising them to be wary of malicious statements that may promote individual political agendas.
Maguindanao del Norte officer-in-charge Gov. Abdulraof Macacua also defended Lagdameo.
Macacua refuted claims that Lagdameo was coercing BARMM officials to switch political alliances.
In an interview with Kutangbato News, Macacua said that the United Bangsamoro Justice Party has coalesced with the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas even before Lagdameo was involved.
"There is no such thing as forcing the local officials. The mayors are here…" Macacua said, adding that several gatherings of mayors in BARMM have taken place without Lagdameo's presence.
Rajah Buayan, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Yacob Lumenda echoed Macacua's remarks. Local officials, he said, have not faced undue pressure concerning their political affiliations.
Ebrahim said the Bangsamoro government remains steadfast in defending the integrity of its leadership as calls for peaceful and credible elections resonate across the region.