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Mindanao

Macacua maintains legality of Iqbal removal

Philippines | Mindanao

Macacua maintains legality of Iqbal removal

By Tristan Lozano

MACACUA (FB)

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief minister Abdulraof Macacua defended on Monday the removal of Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) chief Mohagher Iqbal.

Macacua, who was seen supporting the BARMM delegation in the Palarong Pambansa in Agusan del Sur Sunday, said Iqbal’s removal was lawful and grounded on “loss of trust and confidence.”

Macacua cited the reasons why Iqbal was removed in a letter dated May 18.

“The position of BARMM minister is co-terminus with the Chief Minister’s confidence and therefore not protected by fixed tenure,” Macacua told Iqbal.

“Your office as Minister of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) is not a fixed-term position protected by tenure. It is co-terminus with the Chief Minister’s confidence,” Macacua said.

Macacua said that the removal of Iqbal was not a disciplinary dismissal but rather an “expiration of appointment by operation of law” following the withdrawal of trust and confidence from the appointing authority.

He cited preliminary findings by the Commission on Audit (COA) involving alleged questionable transactions within the ministry. He said these had “significantly damaged the reputation of the BARMM as an institution.”

Macacua said that he has directed that the final COA findings be forwarded to the Office of the Ombudsman for the possible filing of criminal and administrative cases. Iqbal would still be afforded due process in any formal proceedings, he added.

Iqbal’s removal was criticized in a Rage Coalition rally in Davao City on May 23 attended by supporters and allies of the Duterte political bloc who described Iqbal’s removal as irregular and politically motivated.

Among those who attended the rally was the son of former BARMM chief minister Murad Ebrahim.

Related Tags

BARMM Abdulrauf Macacua Mohagher Iqbal

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