DAVAO CITY – Congressmen from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region recently filed a resolution seeking an inquiry in aid of legislation on the alleged misuse of public funds in a block grant totaling P100 million.

House Resolution 2199 was signed by Lanao del Sur first district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Sulu first district Rep. Samier Tan, Lanao del Sur second district Rep. Yasser Balindong, Maguindanao del Sur Rep. Mohammad Paglas, and Kusug Tausug party-list Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut.
They specifically cited the inappropriate disbursement of the block grant, an annual share of the Bangsamoro government from the internal revenue tax collections of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and collections of the Bureau of Customs.
They raised concerns after receiving reports that barangay local government units in Lanao del Sur allegedly received huge amounts of money from P500,000 to P2.5 million deposited to the bank accounts of the BLGUs from the Office of the Chief Minister.
“Such transfer of funds was without notice to the concerned BLGU nor was it requested by the BLGU itself,” the resolution said.
It added that the BLGUs have no idea or orientation on the proper utilization of the funds or even why these were transferred to their bank accounts.
The resolution also stated that after the transfers were made, certain individuals appeared at the offices of barangay officials, and introduced themselves as officials of the Bangsamoro government, and requested them to withdraw the amount transferred to them by the Bangsamoro government.
The House resolution added: “These highly trained individuals will instruct the barangay official to hand them over the withdrawn funds and return to the barangay official an amount of P200,000 for special operation."
Reports quoted Adiong saying that the funds could have been sourced from the local government support fund where a total of P6.3 billion has been allocated to BARMM under the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 56 or the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of the Bangsamoro.
Bangsamoro government spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun said they are now conducting an investigation on the alleged misuse of funds.
Pendatun assured that they will go after the individuals who are using the Office of the Chief Minister for fraudulent transactions.