Cotabato City: Newly appointed Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) is set to form his official cabinet in the coming days.
According to Philippines News Agency, Asnin Pendatun, the spokesperson for BARMM, announced that Macacua, who previously served as governor of Maguindanao del Norte, will be appointing ministers to lead various offices, bureaus, and sub-offices. This move comes after Macacua's appointment by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on March 3, succeeding Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, who was the first interim chief minister of BARMM since 2019.
Pendatun noted that Macacua has not yet taken his oath before President Marcos. The decision to replace Ebrahim was made following consultations among the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, BARMM leaders, and other key stakeholders. With Ebrahim stepping down, he has been appointed as a Member of Parliament, serving until the first parliamentary elections in October.
Additionally, President Marcos has named other members to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority to serve until new officials are elected later in the year.
