BARMM spokesman confirms appointment of Macacua as chief minister
DAVAO CITY – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun confirmed in a radio interview on Monday, March 10, the appointment of Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Abdulraof Macacua as the new interim chief minister of the BARMM.
Pendatun said that Macacua was appointed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Bangsamoro government received a letter designating Macacua to the position on Friday, March 7.
He said that the appointment of Macacua underwent consultations among members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Central Committee where he and former chief minister Ahod Ebrahim also serve as among its key leaders.
Ebrahim, popularly known as Al Haj Murad, is the current MILF chairman while Macacua is the chief of staff of its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF).
The MILF chief was the BARMM interim chief minister since the region’s creation in 2019 under the Duterte administration. He was reappointed to the same post by Marcos in August 2022.
Pendatun emphasized that while Ebrahim remains as a member of the parliament, the former chief minister could now focus on the preparations of the MILF-led United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) for the first parliamentary elections in October this year. Ebrahim is chairman of the UBJP.
The BARMM spokesperson said that Macacua’s replacement as governor will be named soon.
Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has welcomed the leadership change in the BARMM.
EBRAHIM (left) and Macacua.
In a statement, Galvez said the appointment of Macacua will further strengthen the leadership foundation established by Ebrahim in the ongoing transition period of the Bangsamoro region.
“I wholeheartedly express my gratitude to Chair Ebrahim for his leadership and vision, particularly in fostering meaningful autonomy for the Bangsamoro people and advancing the peace process in the region,” he added.
Galvez also said that the transition of leadership comes at a crucial time as the Bangsamoro region prepares for a significant milestone, the parliamentary elections.
“We call on the Bangsamoro people to support the new leadership and continue the trek on the path of peace in the Bangsamoro region. Together, we must build upon the gains of the peace process,” he said.
Pendatun said the actual date of assumption as well as the oath-taking ceremony is yet to be declared.
Ebrahim or the MILF has yet to release a statement as of posting time.