DAVAO CITY — Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr. and South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. have firmly denied accusations alleging the misappropriation of funds intended for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and claims of political coercion.
In a joint statement, Lagdameo and Tamayo labeled the allegations as “false, baseless, and misleading,” asserting that they are malicious attempts to mislead the public.
“We categorically deny the baseless accusations that funds for BARMM have been siphoned or that politicians are being coerced to join the administration,” they emphasized.
Chief Minister of BARMM Ahod Ebrahim and other key Mindanao leaders have also dismissed these claims, reaffirming that no coercion or harassment has occurred. A recent gathering of BARMM mayors and prominent leaders in Davao City was described as peaceful and respectful, with no undue pressure exerted on any officials.
Lagdameo stated, “As the Special Assistant to the President, my role is to uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity in every aspect of my duties.” He explained that the allocation and utilization of BARMM funds adhere to legal and transparent processes, ensuring that resources are used exclusively for the region’s development and inclusive growth.
Governor Tamayo, who also serves as the National President of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, emphasized his commitment to building partnerships based on shared goals for national advancement. “We do not engage in tactics that undermine democratic processes or the political freedom of local officials,” he asserted.
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