Malacañang has appealed to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to give new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) interim chief minister Abdulraof Macacua a chance as he took over the leadership of the newly established region.

Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after the MILF leadership expressed its opposition to Macacua's appointment, calling it a violation of the law.

In a press briefing on Monday, March 17, the Palace Press Officer said President Marcos has the prerogative to appoint the interim chief minister.

"Ang hiling po natin sana sa pamunuan po ng MILF, bigyan po muna natin ng chance (Our request to the MILF leadership is to give him a chance)," she said.

"Kapag po hindi naging maayos ang magiging pamumuno po ng bagong na-appoint na ICM, maaari po nating pag-usapan muli ito para po sa ikagaganda po ng Bangsamoro (If the leadership of the newly appointed ICM does not go well, we can discuss this again for the betterment of Bangsamoro)," she added.

Castro believed this issue would not compromise the peace in Mindanao.

"Hindi naman po dahil nasa maganda pong pag-uusap 'yan (I don't think so because it can be resolved through proper dialogue)," she said.

"Kapag po merong hindi naging magandang pangyayari (If something undesirable happens), then that's the time the President will make an immediate action," she added.

Marcos appointed Macacua as BARMM interim chief minister early this month, replacing MILF Chair Ahod Balawag “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim.

Macacua will serve as BARMM interim chief minister until the winners in the region's first parliamentary elections are confirmed in October.