ILIGAN CITY— Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. has expressed his support for the continued leadership of Abdulraof Macacua as chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following the region’s first parliamentary elections.
Adiong, who also serves as secretary-general of the BARMM Grand Coalition (BGC), congratulated Macacua on what he described as his “decisive victory” in the historic elections held on Sept. 14.
The first regular Bangsamoro parliamentary elections filled 80 seats in the region’s regular parliament. Under the parliamentary system, the chief minister will be chosen by the newly elected parliament rather than directly by voters.
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“I extend my warmest congratulations to Chief Minister Abdulraof ‘Sammy Gambar’ Macacua on his decisive victory in the historic first Bangsamoro parliamentary elections, and I am glad to reaffirm my personal and political support for his continued leadership as Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao,” Adiong said.
Adiong said he and Macacua had worked together in building the Bangsamoro region, including in regional governance and public service.
He said he has long believed that the region’s future would be better served by leaders who can build bridges across political differences.
“I know his sincerity, his discipline, and his love for the Bangsamoro, and I am confident that under his leadership, this new chapter of self-governance will be guided with wisdom and unity,” Adiong said.
He also said he believed his support for Macacua was shared by local leaders in Lanao del Sur.
As governor, Adiong said the province is ready to work with the Bangsamoro government under Macacua’s leadership to advance programs benefiting communities across the region.
Macacua’s Bangsamoro Federalist Party garnered 31 of 80 seats in the incoming regular Parliament, short of the number needed to form the regional government.
Adiong’s recent pronouncement raises the possibility that the BGC could form a coalition with the BFP, throwing its eight seats behind Macacua, along with six more seats won by his local party, SIAP. /mcm
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