In a significant crackdown on corruption, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested six individuals accused of selling seats in the Bangsamoro parliament for exorbitant sums. The arrests were made public during a press briefing led by NBI Director Jaime Santiago on January 3, 2025. The operation took place at the Manila Hotel the previous day, where the suspects were caught in an entrapment operation.
The accused, identified as Diahn Dagohoy, Bolkisah Datadacula, Alejandro Lorino Jr., Joseph Catunao, Leomer Abon, and Tita Natividad, allegedly offered parliamentary positions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) for millions of pesos. According to the NBI, Dagohoy initially approached a complainant on December 29, 2024, offering a parliamentary seat for PHP8 million. Subsequent negotiations led to an agreement to appoint the complainant’s son and nephew to the parliament for PHP15 million.
Dagohoy and her accomplices claimed to be affiliated with the Office of the President, promising that the appointees would be sworn in by January 3. However, a certification from the Office of the President clarified that none of the suspects were employees or connected to the presidential office.
The suspects were apprehended after receiving marked money during a set meeting. They now face charges of syndicated estafa and usurpation of authority or official functions, highlighting the ongoing battle against corruption within governmental institutions.