Ex-Zambo Sur governor is Mindanao adviser

NEW PALACE POST President Marcos (left) on March 12 announces the appointment of former Environment Secretary Antonio Cerilles as his adviser for Mindanao concerns. —BONGBONG MARCOS/FACEBOOK

President Marcos has named former Zamboanga del Sur Gov. and ex-Environment Secretary Antonio Cerilles as presidential adviser on Mindanao concerns.

Mr. Marcos himself announced the appointment of 76-year-old Cerilles on Facebook and Instagram on Wednesday night.

The President administered the oath of office to Cerilles, a lawyer, and shared photos of the occasion on social media.

“Tony has spent decades serving the people—as governor, congressman and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary. His experience will be invaluable as we continue working to bring real progress to the region,” the Chief Executive said.

Cerilles was DENR secretary (1998-2001) during the term of President Joseph Estrada. He first served as representative of Zamboanga del Sur’s second district from 1987 to 1998, and from 2004 to 2010. He won in the 2010 elections as Zamboanga del Sur governor, serving for three terms from 2010 to 2019.

New BARMM chief

Also on Wednesday, Mr. Marcos also officially welcomed Abdulraof Macacua as the new interim chief minister of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the governing body of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The President also administered Macacua’s oath of office and shared it on his social media accounts late Wednesday night.

The President expressed optimism that Macacua will build on the government’s progress in the BARMM and ensure a smooth transition after its first parliamentary elections in October this year.

“We look forward to Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua leading the BTA in building on the progress we’ve made in BARMM,” he said.

The President added: “His leadership comes at a crucial time as we prepare for the region’s first parliamentary elections—ensuring a smooth transition and a stronger future for the Bangsamoro people.”

Malacañang confirmed Macacua’s appointment on Sunday. He replaced Ahod Ebrahim, who served as BTA interim chief minister since 2019.

The former officer in charge of Maguindanao del Norte and a BTA member, Macacua is expected to serve until the winners of the Bangsamoro Parliament elections on Oct. 13 are sworn into office.

The President also named 57 new BTA members apart from Macacua, including Ebrahim.