Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua. Bangsamoro Transition Authority website

MANILA (UPDATED) — Malacañang on Monday called on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to give the new leadership of the Bangsamoro Region a chance. 

This, after the central committee of the MILF rejected President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s recent appointment of Abdulraof Macacua as interim Chief Minister, "despite the group's repeated sentiments" to retain Ahod Balawag "Al Haj Murad" Ebrahim. 

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“Sinabi naman po ng mga tao na um-attend po doon sa MILF Consultative Assembly na mayroon pong prerogative ang Pangulo na mag-appoint po ng interim Chief Minister. Sa ngayon po, bagong-bago po, ang hiling po sana natin sa pamunuan po ng MILF ay bigyan po muna ng chance," Palace Press Office Claire Castro said in a Palace briefing.

Maguindanao del Norte Governor Macacua named new Bangsamoro interim chief

"Kapag po hindi naging maayos ang magiging pamumuno po ng bagong na-appoint na ICM, maaari po nating pag-usapang muli ito para po sa ikakaganda ng nasabi poong Bansagmoro, MILF," she added.

Castro also expressed confidence that the recent appointment of Macacua will not derail ongoing peace efforts in the BARMM.

"Hindi naman po, dahil nasa maganda pong pag-uusap iyan... Kapag po mayroong hindi naging magandang pangyayari, then that's the time na the President will make an immediate action," she said.

Meanwhile, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who is also co-chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Body (IGRB), welcomed Macacua's appointment as BARMM interim chief minister, noting his appointment's timeliness as the region prepares for its first-ever parliamentary elections.

"This appointment comes at a crucial turning point in the history of BARMM, in anticipation of its upcoming, first-ever parliamentary elections. Hence, it is a testament to the Administration's enduring commitment to ensuring lasting peace and continuous development in the region," she said in a statement.

"Chief Minister Macacua has a proven track record in leadership as Governor of Maguindanao del Norte. He also served in the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. And so we are confident that under his helm, we will build on our gains and make BARMM thrive amid this crucial transition period," Pangandaman added.

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