MNLF founder endorses Macacua to lead Bangsamoro government
COTABATO CITY - Nur Misuari, founding chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), has endorsed Abdulraof “Sam” Macacua to lead the Bangsamoro government, telling the incumbent chief minister, “You have my support, my full support!”
Misuari made the remarks during Macacua’s courtesy visit to his residence 22 October.
He congratulated Macacua on his electoral victory in his parliamentary district and encouraged 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,” Misuari said.
The 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 30 October.
The governors supporting the coalition are Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr. of Lanao del Sur, Tucao O. Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte, Ali Midtimbang of Maguindanao del Sur, Mujiv Hataman of Basilan and Yshmael “Mang” Sali of Tawi-Tawi.
The coalition 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 bloc holds a numerical advantage over the 41 votes needed for a simple majority.
Macacua, who chairs the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, emerged as a key figure in the post-election political realignment following the 14 September parliamentary elections.
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 historically taken by the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
Macacua previously served as military chief of the MILF’s armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, before political realignments placed him on a separate electoral track from the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party.
While Misuari’s endorsement and the governors' backing strengthen Macacua’s political position, the final choice of chief minister remains subject to the parliamentary process.
The 30 October session will test the coalition’s ability to translate its numerical advantage into a functioning government as the region transitions from the interim administration to its regular parliamentary system.