MALACANANG on Monday urged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to give the new leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) led by Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua a chance to do their job first.
Communications Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro, in a Palace briefing, said that during an MILF Consultative Assembly, it was explained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has the prerogative to appoint an interim Chief Minister.
“For now, we are appealing to the MILF to give the new leadership a chance, if their leadership will not be good, then we can talk about it for the betterment of the Bangsamoro, MILF,” she said.
She added that if matters do not go well, the President will take action.
The President named Macacua as interim chief minister (ICM) of BARMM vice Ahod Ebrahim and reappointed the members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority amid the postponement of the parliamentary elections from May to October this year.
After a consultative assembly about the change in leadership and membership of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), the MILF expressed its concern about the appointment of Macacua, saying this will have a “dire impact” on the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB).
Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, Jr., last Sunday hosted in Cotabato City an Iftar, or breaking of the fast, for 19 MILF base commanders and discussed with them the new BARMM leadership and the ongoing implementation of the Normalization Program in accordance with the CAB.
Galvez assured the MILF leaders that the change in BARMM leadership adheres to both the letter and spirit of the CAB and the Bangsamoro Organic Law.
He also said that the appointment of Macacau was done after Ebrahim resigned from his post on March 3 to focus on the upcoming first parliamentary elections in the BARMM on October 13.
Galvez said Ebarahim sent his letter of resignation to the President who appointed Macacua — the Chief of Staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) — as the ICM. Macacua took his oath before the President on March 12.
Galvez reaffirmed that the Marcos administration would remain committed to the CAB which was signed on March 27, 2014.
“Let us continue to stand united as one Bangsamoro, upholding the spirit of peace and progress. Through unity, we strengthen our foundation for a brighter future, where harmony, development, and the aspirations of our people are realized. Together, with faith, resilience, and determination, we will build a peaceful and prosperous Bangsamoro for generations to come under the banner of Bagong Pilipinas,” Galvez said in his message.
