House panel calls for COA audit of P6.4B BARMM funds

On Monday, March 17, a House panel called for the Commission on Audit (COA) to conduct a fraud audit regarding P6.4 billion in questionable government funds used by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The call came after BARMM officials failed to attend a hearing into the regional government's release of funds, prompting Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong to urge COA to investigate the alleged misuse.

Malacañang on Tuesday backed the House Committee's call for an audit, emphasizing the importance of respecting oversight functions and addressing any necessary corrections.

The committee alleged that over 400 barangays in Lanao del Sur province received P500,000 to P2.5 million from the Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), raising concerns about corruption.

Deputy Minority Leader Mujiv Hataman questioned BARMM officials' absence during the hearing, noting they cited Ramadan as a reason but arguing that fasting should not excuse official duties.

Public Accounts Committee Chair Stephen Joseph Paduano asserted Congress's constitutional mandate to conduct inquiries over autonomous regions like BARMM.