COA probe of Iqbal slammed

An official of the Ministry on Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) has branded the Commission on Audit (COA) move to investigate alleged anomalies in the agency as political sabotage.

- BY KEITH BACONGCO

Abdullah Salik Jr., MBHTE director general for basic education, believes that the recent COA investigation into alleged anomalies involving MBHTE chief Mohagher Iqbal is just a revival of old tactics designed to undermine the legitimacy and credibility of the Bangsamoro leadership.

Salik said the allegations aimed to discredit the Bangsamoro leadership are neither new nor surprising.

"Historically, whenever the Bangsamoro movement seeks to assert its rights or challenge unfulfilled promises, there is an ensuing attempt to undermine its leaders," he said.

The COA investigation, Salik said, should not be viewed solely as an issue of alleged misconduct.

Instead, it must be recognized as part of a persistent political strategy aimed at destabilizing and undermining the Bangsamoro's pursuit of genuine self-governance, he said.

In a letter addressed to BARMM interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua dated Aug. 11, the Commission on Audit (COA) stated in a letter that they received formal complaints filed against Iqbal about the alleged anomalous disbursements of P1.77-billion payment made by the MBHTE in a single day and P449.2-million payment issued to a single supplier under questionable circumstances.