MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Audit (CoA) will investigate complaints on the alleged questionable spending of over P2 billion funds by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao's (BARMM) Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) headed Minister Mohagher Iqbal.

In a letter dated Aug. 11, 2025 to BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua, CoA Chairman Gamaliel Cordoba said that the commission will create a team to conduct a special audit of the transactions complained of.

COA probes Iqbal on spending of P1.7B in one day

COA was referring to the disbursement of P1.77 billion in just one day, which allegedly circumvented the Finance Division’s review process. Checks were reportedly issued to personnel, including the cashier.

The other questionable transaction involved the payment of P449.2 million to a single supplier.

"Following the initial review by the relevant COA offices, the complaints merit the conduct of a special audit," Cordoba said in a letter to Macacua.

"In line with the Commission's Constitutional mandate, we are already in the process of constituting a special audit team to audit the subject transactions," Cordoba added.

The COA chief asked Macacua’s help in the conduct of the special audit.

"We respectfully request your assistance for our audit team for the entire duration of the audit. We shall coordinate with your office on this matter," the CoA chief said.

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The P1.77 billion disbursement is the biggest fund use involving the MBHTE, which has the largest budget in BARMM at P36 billion.

The outcome of COA’s audit will determine if the filing of charges against concerned officials or personnel is warranted.