COTABATO CITY — Two influential groups—one a regional political powerhouse independent of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)—have thrown their weight behind the leadership of newly appointed Bangsamoro Chief Minister Abdulrauf Macacua, signaling a wave of political unity in the autonomous region.
Macacua, the former leader of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, officially took the helm of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) on March 27.
The oath-taking ceremony, held at the regional capitol in Cotabato City, marked a significant transition as he succeeded Ahod Ebrahim, the region’s pioneering chief minister. The change in leadership followed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s official designation earlier this month.
Ebrahim, who has led BARMM since its inception in 2019, was originally appointed by then-President Rodrigo Duterte as part of the transition from the MILF-led revolutionary movement to formal governance.
Regional Political Groups Rally Behind Macacua
On the same day as Macacua’s inauguration, the Serbisyong Inklusibo, Alyansang Progresibo (SIAP)—a prominent regional political party—affirmed its commitment to supporting his leadership.
SIAP leaders, including lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, Cotabato City Vice Mayor Johari Abu, and senior party officials such as Nimbo Sinarimbo, Edun Sumlay, Rhene Tukuran, and Tonicks Enalang, jointly released a statement emphasizing their dedication to maintaining peace and ensuring orderly elections in BARMM in May 2025.
As chief minister, Macacua assumes control over BARMM’s 80-member parliament and holds ministerial authority over various regional offices and ministries. His leadership will be pivotal in navigating political alliances and maintaining stability in a diverse region where multiple Moro factions and local power players hold influence.
SIAP, led by Lanao del Sur Vice Governor Mohammad Rakiin Adiong, boasts a robust membership of over 700,000 individuals across BARMM’s five provinces and three cities. Despite SIAP and the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Party often fielding rival candidates in local elections, their recent statement underscores a shared commitment to BARMM’s governance and development.
A Strong Coalition for Peace and Progress
“We shall support to the best of our ability the peace, governance, and humanitarian programs of our region’s new chief minister, Abdulrauf Macacua,” Sinarimbo told reporters on March 29. A newly appointed member of the Bangsamoro parliament, Sinarimbo is no stranger to BARMM’s political landscape, having served as the region’s former Minister of Interior and Local Government and as the head of its Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence unit.
In another major show of solidarity, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has also vowed to back Macacua’s administration. MNLF Chairman Muslimin Sema, who serves as BARMM’s Minister of Labor and Employment, highlighted the deep-rooted collaboration between the MILF and MNLF, noting that both groups have been co-managing regional agencies since BARMM’s establishment in 2019.
“These are two different Moro fronts, but we share a common vision: peace and sustainable development for the Bangsamoro region, which is home to Muslim, Christian, and non-Moro indigenous communities,” Sema emphasized.
Expanding Political, Religious, and Cultural Solidarity
The momentum behind Macacua’s leadership continues to grow.
BARMM’s Minister of Transportation and Communications, Paisalin Pangandaman Tago—a respected lawyer and accountant from a prominent Maranao political clan—expressed gratitude for SIAP’s commitment to Macacua’s administration.
He underscored that such alliances will strengthen efforts to foster political, religious, and cultural unity across the region.
Tago and other MILF political leaders in Lanao del Sur have openly endorsed Macacua, recognizing his leadership as instrumental in ensuring the continued progress of BARMM. Their declarations of support, broadcast across Central Mindanao, serve as a testament to Macacua’s growing political legitimacy following his appointment by President Marcos.
As BARMM enters this new chapter, the strong backing from political groups and grassroots organizations alike sets the stage for a period of collaboration, governance reform, and sustainable development. With Macacua at the helm, the region stands poised to build on the gains of the past while forging a more inclusive and prosperous future for its diverse communities.
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