While Typhoon Crising continues to move away from Western Visayas and Luzon — leaving several people dead, damaging crops and properties, and trapping residents in floods — another disturbance is brewing. But this time, it’s in Mindanao particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which covers the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte and Sur, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato City and some parts of North Cotabato.

South Cotabato Governor Pax Mangudadatu of the powerful Mangudadatu clan has been very vocal of his criticisms against presidential ally and Mindanao Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Anton Lagdameo.

Mangudadatu aired his concern on the dismal performance last elections of the administration across Mindanao despite the cash support and available political machineries which were coursed through SAP Lagdameo with the hope of firming-up the hold and influence of President Bongbong Marcos in the South.

SAP Lagdameo delivered empty promises and failed to put up a strong political alliance while according to Mangudadato schemingly supported only those he finds loyal and friendly. The presidential friend who did not heed the call of the president to his cabinet and men to submit courtesy resignations cannot even identify major and high-impact projects in Mindanao which could positively affect the lives of the people. He cannot even claim an alliance which he has forged to serve the political ends of the administration he serves.

While the problem may be too far from Western Visayas, the brewing storm in Mindanao must not be left out without scrutiny. Politically, it can be an intriguing chapter as everyone knows how close Anton Lagdameo is to Mr. Marcos Jr. The mere fact that the issue has gone out into the open with several presidential allies publicly declaring their claims and sentiments, it is only logical that the president is aware of the problem and has not done anything to control and subdue it away from the people’s ears. Is there a falling-out between Lagdameo and the president is a matter that only the president and the unfolding days can tell.

In the meantime, the general public must be aware that P80-billion of the tax payers money goes to BARMM annually and perhaps this is one of the reasons why Governor Mangudadatu is complaining loud and Mr. Lagdameo is holding on to his position. Or perhaps, it is the other way around. Afterall, it is always money that is considered the root of all evil.

While politics and survival is better left to those who struggle to keep their power and grip especially in Mindanao which could serve as a tilting point in the coming 2028 presidential elections, the interest of only a few on the tax payers money being used to further their own personal cause and gains must be given prominence and exposed in order to protect those who have struggled much to earn a living and those to whom such funds are intended.

Will the president call on the assistant is one thing, the case mostly though is for the assistant to voluntarily submit his case to the president in order not to affect the delivery of the much needed services to the people.