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COA to probe Bangsamoro's education minister on P2.2-B 'anomalous disbursements'

Philippines | National

COA to probe Bangsamoro's education minister on P2.2-B 'anomalous disbursements'

By Czarina Nicole Ong Ki

The Commission on Audit (COA) has decided to conduct a special audit on the alleged anomalous disbursements of P2.2 billion by Minister Mohagner M. Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

In a letter sent to BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua, COA Chairman Gamalier A. Cordova said after the initial review of the two complaints filed against Minister Iqbal, the commission decided to conduct a special audit.

The first complaint against Iqbal involved the P1,772,251,519.17 payment made in a single day, which reportedly circumvented the Finance Division standard review process through the issuance of checks to individual personnel, including the cashier.

The second complaint was due to the P449,236,636.20 payment issued to a single supplier under "questionable circumstances."

Cordova’s Aug. 11 letter to Macacua stated: "In line with the Commission's Constitutional mandate, we are already in the process of constituting a special audit team to audit the subject transactions. We respectfully request your assistance for our audit team for the entire duration of the audit. We shall coordinate with your office on this matter.”

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