The NBI arrested six individuals for their involvement in the alleged sale of parliamentary seats in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
An entrapment operation conducted on January 2 at the Manila Hotel resulted in the arrest of the suspects. The operation was launched following a complaint filed with the office of the Special Task Force (STF) and the Cybercrime Division (CCD).
The complainant claimed that on December 29, a suspect contacted him and offered a seat in the BARMM parliament for PHP 8,000,000. He then pretended to show interest in the offer to gather information.
After a series of discussions, the complainant and the suspect reached an agreement for the appointment of the complainant's son and nephew to the BARMM parliament, with a corresponding fee of PHP 15,000,000.
Furthermore, the suspect assured the complainant that two positions would be reserved for his son and nephew, and that the arrangement would be facilitated by the First Lady.
The suspect further claimed that the successful appointees would take their oath of office on January 3.
STF and CCD operatives quickly coordinated a joint entrapment operation. The suspects were arrested after receiving the marked money and pretending to be employees of the Office of the President (OP).
Moreover, the Office of the President (OP) issued a certification confirming that the suspects are neither employees nor in any way affiliated with the Palace.
The arrested individuals will face charges of syndicated estafa and violation of Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code, or usurpation of authority or official functions.
