MANILA, Philippines — Government of the Philippines (GPH) panel chair Marvic Leonen Thursday claimed that he handed the P5-million check to MILF chair Al Haj Murad Ibrahim during the parties’ last round of formal exploratory talks on August 22-23 in Kuala Lumpur to jumpstart the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute (BLMI).

Leonen said the money given to the MILF was made public during the August 23 press conference held by the government panel following the meeting in the Malaysian capital.

“The P5 million is a commitment made by the previous administration. It is intended to fast-track the establishment of the institute,” Leonen explained.

The BLMI is a training center for Bangsamoro leaders and managers who will be serving their communities in the future.

He related that the establishment of BLMI was discussed during negotiations at the 10th Formal Exploratory Talks in February, 2006. It was finalized and formally agreed upon during the 14th formal exploratory talks held on November 14-15, 2007, with funding commitment from the Philippine Government to jumpstart the institute's operations.