A former lawmaker has recently applauded the Commission on Appointments for rejecting the nomination of ex-TESDA chief Suharto “Teng” Mangudadatu as an Army colonel reservist.

Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu, now a peace advocate in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), said the CA’s decision was justified. Mangudadatu, who is Teng’s third cousin, cited instances of alleged abuses by his relative in their homeland.

“Teng has been using reservists for his personal gain. He has thousands of them, armed with guns, and they intimidate people,” said Esmael, a former Maguindanao governor.

He alleged that these reservists were often used as private armed groups, equipped with government-issued vehicles and weapons.

Esmael further accused Teng of misusing the Philippine Army’s name for political purposes in the Bangsamoro region, even though he is not part of the BARMM government.

“Giving Teng the title of Army colonel reservist would have been dangerous,” Esmael said. “It would have given him a semblance of legitimacy to continue his harassment of his political opponents in the BARMM.”

Teng’s nomination was rejected by the CA due to his failure to attend four hearings, according to panel head and Camiguin Representative Jurdin Jesus Romualdo.

Romualdo said Teng’s non-compliance violated Section 24 of the CA Rules.