COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 17 May 2026) — Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua has asked Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal to tender his irrevocable resignation by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 18, following a report from the Commission on Audit (COA) that exposed over ₱2.2 billion in questionable procurement transactions at the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE). In a letter dated May 11, Macacua stated, “We respectfully request you to either resign immediately or you shall be deemed resigned if we do not receive your irrevocable resignation at the closing office hour of Monday, May 18, 2026.” Iqbal, responding on May 16, declined to resign, stating that doing so could be construed as an admission of guilt or abandonment of duty. He emphasized his commitment to accountability and requested that any decision to remove him be made openly and lawfully. The COA’s findings highlighted three key issues: uncollected fines for delayed deliveries totaling ₱16,068,000; the approval of 53 contracts worth ₱1,952,923,307.40 despite material defects; and missing crucial documents for disbursement vouchers covering ₱2.24 billion. Iqbal asserted his intention to clear his name and fulfill his duties until formally relieved of his position. The BARMM, established in 2019, emphasizes moral governance under the leadership of Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim, succeeded by Macacua in March 2019. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera / MindaNews)
