By Ali G. Macabalang
COTABATO CITY– Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) spokesman Von Al-Haq, Abunawas Maslamama in real life, would succeed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim (BARMM) Senior Minister Abdulraof Macacua as the latter opted to give up his key regional positions to focus on his administration of Maguindanao del Norte as an OIC-governor.
This was announced by both Macacua and Maslamama at a press conference here Monday, April 17. The event was the second in a series of press conferences assured by the former following his appointment by the President as OIC-governor for Maguindanao del Norte on April 5.
Macacua presented to reporters the original copies of his appointment and oath of office signed both by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. He said his receipt of the documents buoyed him to give up promptly his post as senior minister and eventually his membership in the BARMM interim Parliament.
He vouched for his successor’s qualities, saying that Maslamama – apart from serving well as spokesman of the MILF’s Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) – earned management exposures in his earlier appointment as deputy minister of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) and later as deputy minister of the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG).
The senior minister post is equivalent to the executive secretary in the national government. It is imbued with the power to supervise the operations of all ministries and line offices in the regional government, Macacua said.
At the sidelines of Monday’s press conference, Maslamama told reporters that BARMM Chief Minister “Hadji Murad” Ebrahim was expected to issue his appointment as senior minister and swear him in.
“I was told by Chief Murad, ‘Ikaw na’ (it’s you). Sagot ko naman, if that’s the order, I will take the challenge and hopefully, I can work very productively,” Maslamama said, recalling his latest talk with the Chief Minister.
Asked of his immediate plans as senior minister, Maslamama said: “Let us cross the bridge when we are there.”
News about his rise to the BARMM senior ministerial post has drawn public appreciation.
Journalists and visitors on Monday saw many people on strategic areas inside and outside the BARMM regional compound here, some giant tarpaulins containing congratulatory messages and well-wishes. (AGM)
PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY 