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Macacua Breaks Silence On MILF Suspension
Photo credit: Bangsamoro Government
Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua has defended his actions regarding questions raised by the Commission on Audit (COA) over roughly ₱2.2 billion in education funds, saying his decisions were driven by duty and accountability—not politics.
Macacua issued the statement following his indefinite suspension as Chief of Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), stressing that public officials cannot ignore concerns involving government funds, regardless of personal ties or political considerations.
“When the Commission on Audit raised serious questions regarding two billion pesos in our education funds, it was not a political issue. It was a legal obligation,” Macacua said.
The issue centers on COA findings involving the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE). While the controversy has sparked discussions within Bangsamoro political circles, Macacua emphasized that accountability must come before personal relationships.
“If we want our autonomous region to be respected, we must prove that our institutions are stronger than our personal relationships,” he added.
Observers have linked the statement to the controversy involving former Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, a prominent MILF leader and one of Macacua’s longtime allies during the Bangsamoro struggle. Despite their shared history, the Chief Minister suggested that no individual should be exempt from scrutiny when public funds are involved.
Macacua also clarified that his remarks were not directed at MILF Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim. Instead, he said his position is consistent with the broader goal of promoting integrity and fighting corruption within government institutions.
According to the Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was built through decades of sacrifice and struggle, making it even more important to safeguard the institutions created through the peace process.
He warned that public trust could be weakened if personal loyalties are allowed to outweigh accountability and fairness in governance.
To highlight the scale of the amount under scrutiny, Macacua noted that ₱2.2 billion could fund scholarships for thousands of students and represents a sum far beyond what most workers could earn in a lifetime.
Because of this, he said questions surrounding the use of public funds should never be brushed aside.
Macacua also rejected claims that the issue reflects a power struggle within the MILF or the Bangsamoro Government.
“This is not about an internal struggle for power. The work of the BARMM must continue without interruption. Our ministries remain open, our public services are running, and our preparation for the upcoming elections continues exactly as planned,” he said.
Despite the controversy, the Chief Minister called on the Bangsamoro people to remain united and focused on strengthening governance and public institutions.
“I remain a servant of our struggle, and I will continue to do my duty to the law and to our people, quietly and faithfully,” Macacua said.
Macacua issued the statement following his indefinite suspension as Chief of Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), stressing that public officials cannot ignore concerns involving government funds, regardless of personal ties or political considerations.
“When the Commission on Audit raised serious questions regarding two billion pesos in our education funds, it was not a political issue. It was a legal obligation,” Macacua said.
The issue centers on COA findings involving the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE). While the controversy has sparked discussions within Bangsamoro political circles, Macacua emphasized that accountability must come before personal relationships.
“If we want our autonomous region to be respected, we must prove that our institutions are stronger than our personal relationships,” he added.
Observers have linked the statement to the controversy involving former Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal, a prominent MILF leader and one of Macacua’s longtime allies during the Bangsamoro struggle. Despite their shared history, the Chief Minister suggested that no individual should be exempt from scrutiny when public funds are involved.
Macacua also clarified that his remarks were not directed at MILF Chairman Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim. Instead, he said his position is consistent with the broader goal of promoting integrity and fighting corruption within government institutions.
According to the Chief Minister, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was built through decades of sacrifice and struggle, making it even more important to safeguard the institutions created through the peace process.
He warned that public trust could be weakened if personal loyalties are allowed to outweigh accountability and fairness in governance.
To highlight the scale of the amount under scrutiny, Macacua noted that ₱2.2 billion could fund scholarships for thousands of students and represents a sum far beyond what most workers could earn in a lifetime.
Because of this, he said questions surrounding the use of public funds should never be brushed aside.
Macacua also rejected claims that the issue reflects a power struggle within the MILF or the Bangsamoro Government.
“This is not about an internal struggle for power. The work of the BARMM must continue without interruption. Our ministries remain open, our public services are running, and our preparation for the upcoming elections continues exactly as planned,” he said.
Despite the controversy, the Chief Minister called on the Bangsamoro people to remain united and focused on strengthening governance and public institutions.
“I remain a servant of our struggle, and I will continue to do my duty to the law and to our people, quietly and faithfully,” Macacua said.
Jun 6, 2026
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