THE House Committee on Public Accounts, chaired by ABANG LINGKOD Partylist Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano, on Wednesday opened its inquiry into the alleged misuse of public funds, as well as the irregularities in the disbursements and utilization of public funds, within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The inquiry is based on the privilege speech of Lanao del Sur Rep. Ziaur-Rahman “Zia” Alonto Adiong, delivered in the plenary last January 27, 2025.
Paduano cited the alleged deposit of funds in the bank accounts of over 400 barangays in Lanao deo Sur, amounting from P500,000 to P2.5 million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), as a key issue on the matter.
According to Adiong’s privilege speech, the funds allegedly originated from the Office of the Chief Minister of the BARMM.
Paduano also stated that there were reports of barangay officials being pressured by the Chief Minister’s personnel to withdraw most of the funds for “special operations” without a clear explanation.
He further noted that, based on reports, many barangay officials declined the deposits due to the lack of clear directives and concerns over accountability, adding that the disbursement failed to comply with LGSF guidelines under the Bangsamoro Autonomy Act 56, which allocates P6.356 billion for community projects.
Paduano also pointed out that the requirement for a special budget request from local chief executives before fund disbursement, as mandated under Bangsamoro Budget Circular 10 of 2024, was allegedly ignored.
Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. questioned the fairness of the fund release, pointing out that some recipients were political allies and close relatives of BARMM officials.
“Maraming barangay ang nakatanggap ng P500,000 hanggang P2.5 milyon, pero karamihan ay pinabalik ang malaking bahagi ng pondo, na kadalasan ay P200,000 na lang ang naiwan,” Gov. Adiong said.
“Kung tunay na pantay ang pamamahagi, bakit may mga LGU na hindi nakatanggap?” Gov. Adiong asked.
Rep. Adiong manifested that House Resolution 2199 has already been filed to initiate an inquiry in aid of legislation on the matter.
The resolution was authored by Adiong, Deputy Speaker Yasser Alonto Balindong, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, Sulu Rep. Samier Tan, Maguindanao Rep. Mohamad Paglas and KUSUG TAUSUG Partylist Rep. Shernee Tan-Tambut.
The panel will also issue a show cause order to the invited resource persons and BARMM officials who failed to attend yesterday’s hearing.
