HIGH-RANKING officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) were still a no-show during Monday’s hearing of the House Committee on Public Accounts on the recent questionable P6.4 billion releases of the regional government to favored barangays.
Responding to a query raised by Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, committee chairman Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano said BARMM officials wrote the panel requesting that they be excused from attending “because of the ongoing Ramadan (when Muslims fast).”
“I think it’s a valid reason,” Paduano said.
However, he acknowledged that several Muslim mayors and other officials and lawmakers attended his panel’s hearing despite the observance of Ramadan.
He said, “We are thankful for all of you for your presence.”
Hataman retorted that there is nothing in the religion of Muslims that prohibits them from doing their duties or their daily activities during the holy month of Ramadan.
“Kami rin ho ay nagpa-fasting, pero nandito kami, ginagawa namin ang aming trabaho,” he said.
Like Paduano, Hataman thanked the Muslim officials for their presence.
“Hindi po ninyo ginawang excuse ang Ramandan,” he said.
Noting that Paduano did not mention the reason cited by BARMM officials for their absence in the committee’s first hearing three weeks ago, Hataman posed another query to Paduano: “Does this mean that they are no longer questioning our oversight power over them?”
Paduano said the constitutional mandate of the House to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation extends to the autonomous Muslim region.
Additionally, he said it was Congress that created BARMM and the legislature exercises oversight power over its creations.
“But let us hear it from them when they finally show up here,” he said.
There was no mention of the show cause orders requiring the regional officials to explain their absence three weeks ago.
They did not show up then because of a parallel investigation they have launched into the questionable releases BARMM made to the regional government’s barangay allies.
Paduano said then such reason was “not acceptable” because the parallel probe does not prevent them from attending the House inquiry.
In his opening remarks, Paduano said his committee has received testimonies proving that funds amounting to P500,000 to more than P2.5 million were released to barangays allied with the regional government.
He said the recipients were allegedly instructed by certain regional officials to “return” the funds to them but retain only P200,000 “for their projects.”
