COTABATO CITY – Three high-ranking Bangsamoro officials, including a key figure in the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), have expressed their support for the newly appointed Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Abdulrauf Macacua.
At the same time, they praised his predecessor, Ahod Ebrahim, for laying the groundwork for meaningful public service across the region’s diverse Muslim, Christian, and indigenous communities.
Confidence in the New Chief Minister
Health Minister Kadil Sinolinding Jr., Labor and Employment Minister Muslimin Sema, and Transportation and Communications Minister Paisalin Pangandaman Tago spoke separately to reporters on Wednesday, March 12.
They voiced their confidence in Macacua’s ability to steer the BARMM government in line with its principle of “moral governance.”
These officials acknowledged the challenges of institutionalizing this policy. But they expressed optimism that the region’s progress would continue under his leadership.
BARMM was established in 2019 after 22 years of peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). It replaced the 27-year-old Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), granting the region greater administrative and political powers.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Macacua to succeed Ebrahim, the MILF chairman. Macacua previously served as governor of Maguindanao del Norte,
Ebrahim led the Bangsamoro government for five years. Macacua is also the Chief of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces of the MILF.
High Hopes
Sinolinding expressed gratitude for Ebrahim’s governance initiatives and called on Macacua to build upon them.
“We thank former Chief Minister Ebrahim for pioneering many reforms. We hope our new leader will sustain and expand these efforts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sema, who chairs the MNLF, highlighted the cooperative spirit between his group and the MILF.
“Though the MNLF and MILF are distinct organizations, we share the same goal of peace and development for our people. Governance is the key to lasting stability in Mindanao,” he noted.
Tago, for his part, acknowledged the structural advancements made under Ebrahim’s leadership.
“The foundation for a functional regional government has been laid. We trust that Chief Minister Macacua will safeguard these achievements and push for even greater progress,” he stated.
Regional leaders stand united in their hope that Macacua’s leadership will further strengthen peace-building efforts and foster continued development in Mindanao.
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