BARMM readies for Cabinet shake-up

COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro government welcomes the recent changes in the leadership of the expanded autonomous region although a Cabinet shake-up is expected once the new interim chief minister takes over, its spokesperson told the Inquirer.

Malacañang also assured it did not expect any tensions arising from President Marcos’ appointment of Maguindanao del Norte acting Gov. Abdulraof Macacua as the new Interim Chief Minister, replacing Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim.

“At present, we do not see any reason for the transfer of power in BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) to result in conflict,” said Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro on Monday.

She added that Ebrahim is among the proponents of the peace process “so we do not expect any such hostilities to happen.”

The change was also a “welcome development,” said Cabinet Secretary and BARMM spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun.

“We assure the people of a smooth leadership change, one that will not disrupt the operations of the Bangsamoro government nor hinder our commitment for the continued delivery of services and programs,” he said.

Pendatun also clarified there was no disunity among Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) leaders following the recent changes in the BARMM leadership.

“It is still an MILF-led [BARMM] government but we understand that there are mixed emotions,” Pendatun said. “But let’s follow the example set by honorable Ebrahim, who remains calm amid all these.”

Composed and calm

Both Ebrahim chairs the MILF while Macacua heads the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the military arm of MILF that is now in the process of being decommissioned.

There was no statement yet from Ebrahim, who remained composed and calm amid the changes, according to Pendatun.

Ebrahim and other BARMM officials ignored repeated calls from reporters but Pendatun said BARMM would release an official statement soon. There was also no statement yet from Macacua.

He said they expected a Cabinet shake-up once Macacua assumes his post as he is expected to organize his own Cabinet. Macacua is expected to take his oath before the President as soon as possible.

“We expect that there will be possible changes for his new set of Cabinet but as to what extent or how many will be removed or replaced from the different ministries of the BARMM, it’s up to the new chief minister,” Pendatun said.

He said he has no idea yet who would assume as the new governor of Maguindanao del Norte once Macacua vacates the post.

Pendatun told the Inquirer that Ebrahim’s office received the official communication letter from Malacañang about Macacua’s appointment on March 7, but the letter was dated March 3.

When asked why Ebrahim was replaced, Pendatun said: “There have been consultations at various levels as to why the outgoing Chief Minister was replaced.”

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He said it was most likely that Ebrahim was replaced so he could focus on the preparation for the first Bangsamoro Parliamentary elections in October. Ebrahim, who is also president of United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the MILF’s political party, is the number one nominee of UBJP in the Oct. 13 parliamentary elections.

In gratitude

In the March 3 appointment paper released by Malacañang, Ebrahim was appointed as member of parliament (MP) of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the regional lawmaking body of BARMM. He will replace MP Jamel Macacua, son of the incoming chief minister.

While Malacañang did not provide a specific reason for the leadership change, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. expressed confidence in Macacua’s appointment, saying it is expected to 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,” Galvez said in a statement.

He vouched for Macacua, who, he said, has long demonstrated “action-oriented leadership” through the various positions he previously held.

Galvez also noted that President Marcos’ decision to appoint Macacua “aligns well with the current realities in the Bangsamoro.”

He stressed that the transition came at a crucial time as the Bangsamoro region prepares for its first parliamentary elections in October.