BARMM chief gains MNLF founding chairman's backing
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, has expressed strong support for Abdulraof “Sam” Macacua to lead the Bangsamoro government.
“You have my support, my full support,” Misuari told Macacua.
Misuari made the remarks during Macacua’s courtesy visit to his residence in Davao City on October 22, congratulating him on his electoral victory in his parliamentary district and encouraging him to continue pursuing his vision for the Bangsamoro people.
“Carry on, I hope you will stay long in your administration, In Shaa Allah,” Misuari said, adding that younger leaders like Macacua should be able to pursue “a bigger dream for our people.”
“We need good people like you at the helm,” the veteran Moro leader added, underscoring his confidence in Macacua’s leadership.
Misuari’s endorsement comes as five provincial governors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have thrown their support behind a 46-member parliamentary coalition aligned with Macacua ahead of the inaugural session of the region’s first regular Parliament on October 30.
The governors are Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, Tucao Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte, Ali Midtimbang of Maguindanao del Sur, Mujiv Hataman of Basilan and Yshmael “Mang” Sali of Tawi-Tawi.
The coalition, formed by 46 elected Members of Parliament (MPs), brings together lawmakers from different political parties and groups under a common governance framework, positioning itself to organize the incoming government and determine the parliamentary majority.
With 46 members in an 80-seat Parliament, the coalition commands a numerical advantage over the 41 votes needed for a simple majority, giving it a strong position in the organization of Parliament and the selection of the next chief minister.
Macacua, who chairs the Bangsamoro Federalist Party (BFP), emerged as a key figure in the post-election political realignment following the September 14 parliamentary elections, with his party and allied groups consolidating support across different political formations.
Misuari’s backing adds historical and political significance to Macacua’s leadership bid, given the MNLF founder’s prominent role in the decades-long Moro struggle and the separate political paths taken by the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Macacua previously served as military chief of the MILF’s armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, before political realignments ahead of the elections placed him on a separate electoral track from the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party.
The combination of Misuari’s endorsement and the governors’ support for the parliamentary coalition strengthens Macacua’s political position, although the final choice of chief minister remains subject to the parliamentary process.
The October 30 session will be a crucial test of the coalition’s ability to translate its numerical advantage into a functioning government as the Bangsamoro region transitions from the interim administration to its regular parliamentary system.
The outcome will shape the region’s immediate political direction and its capacity to advance peace, development and inclusive governance under the new parliamentary arrangement. (Contributed story)
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