By Samantha Yu
MANILA — BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua has defended his decision to remove former Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal from office and announced plans to pursue criminal and administrative complaints against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.
The action follows a Commission on Audit special audit that uncovered alleged irregularities in the acquisition of P2.2 billion worth of learning and training materials under the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education.
Macacua said the referral of the audit findings to the Ombudsman would allow the proper legal process to take its course while giving Iqbal the chance to answer the accusations against him.
Responding to Iqbal’s assertion that he was denied due process, the Chief Minister argued that the audit investigation itself constituted a due process mechanism. He maintained that the termination of Iqbal’s appointment was based on loss of confidence and not on administrative sanctions.
According to Macacua, ministers in the Bangsamoro government serve in co-terminous positions, meaning their tenure depends on the confidence of the appointing authority. Once that confidence is withdrawn, the appointment effectively ends.
To support his position, Macacua cited a Supreme Court ruling recognizing the authority of appointing officials to end co-terminous appointments without the need for a separate administrative proceeding.
He said the COA findings raised serious concerns that undermined confidence in MBHTE leadership and damaged the credibility of the regional government.
While acknowledging his long-standing relationship with Iqbal through the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Macacua said governance requires impartiality and accountability regardless of personal ties.
“The Bangsamoro struggle was founded on the pursuit of justice and good governance,” he said, stressing that public officials must be held accountable whenever allegations of corruption threaten public trust.
Macacua also revealed that he previously consulted MILF Chairman Al-Haj Ahod Ebrahim regarding Iqbal’s situation and agreed to retain him in office after appeals for reconsideration. However, he said continuing concerns over alleged corruption, teacher-item transactions, feeding program issues, and disputed appointments ultimately led to the loss of confidence.
Before carrying out the dismissal, Macacua said he dispatched trusted emissaries, including Datu Antao Midtimbang, Vice Governor Datu Marshall Abas Sinsuat, and Speaker Mohammad Yacob, to communicate his position to Iqbal.
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