Abdulraof Macacua Elected Chief Minister of Bangsamoro Region
Abdulraof Macacua won the election for chief minister of the Bangsamoro region, ending seven years of transition governance and establishing a regular regional government.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao transitioned from interim administration to a democratic government following the convening of its first elected parliament on October 24, 2026. On October 30, the 80-member legislative body elected Abdulraof Macacua of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party as chief minister. Macacua secured 51 votes, defeating former interim chief minister Ahod Ebrahim, who received 27 votes.
The parliament also elected Amer Zaakaria Rakim as speaker with 51 votes. This shift to a regular regional government follows the September 14 parliamentary elections and the dissolution of the unelected Bangsamoro Transition Authority, a process mandated by the Bangsamoro Organic Law and a peace agreement with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. attended the inaugural session in Cotabato City, describing the transition as a victory for the Filipino nation. Other government officials, including Senator Francis Escudero and Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, characterized the event as a historic milestone for self-governance. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission on Interreligious Dialogue also expressed support for the new government and praised the Moro Islamic Liberation Front for facilitating the peaceful transition.
