6 arrested for selling gov’t positions using First Lady’s name
Six persons were arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents for “selling seats in the Bangsamoro parliament in exchange for bribes, and namedropping First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in their scheme.
The suspects identified as Diahn Sanchez Dagohoy, Bolkisah Balt Datadatucala, Alenjandro Barcena Lorino Jr., Joseph Catunao, Leomer Abon, and Tita Natividad were arrested in an entrapment operation at the Manila Hotel.
According to a report, the group posed as Malacañang employees and claimed to have ties with the First Lady who were promising prospective victims of government positions in the Bangsa Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in exchange for large sums of money.
The arrest of the suspects was based from a complaint filed by former Maguindanao representative Esmael Mangudadatu who approached him with an offer to secure a parliamentary seat for P8 million.
The suspects then increased the price to P15 million for two positions — for his son and for his nephew.
The group’s leader, identified as Dagohoy assured the victim that their positions would be arranged by the First Lady herself.
The suspects face charges of syndicated estafa and usurpation of authority or official functions.
Meanwhile, First Lady Liza Marcos warned the individuals allegedly using her name to be appointed for a government position.
The First Lady further clarified that she was not involved in any appointments for the Marcos administration.
