Politics · Philippines Bureau
Catholic bishops welcome election of BARMM's first chief minister
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines has endorsed the election of Abdulraof Macacua as chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, calling it a significant milestone for the region's peace process.
LSN Philippines ·
COTABATO CITY — The Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has expressed support for the election of Abdulraof "Sammy Gambar" Macacua as chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), marking a historic development in the autonomous region's governance.
The CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Inter-religious Dialogue (ECID) characterized Macacua's election as a significant step forward for the ongoing peace process in Mindanao. Macacua represents the first individual to assume the newly created position of chief minister under the BARMM's administrative structure.
The endorsement from the Catholic hierarchy underscores the importance of interfaith cooperation in the region's political transition. The BARMM was established as part of broader peace accords aimed at addressing longstanding concerns in Muslim-majority areas of Mindanao.
Macacua's election signals a new chapter in the autonomous region's institutional development, with religious leaders across different faiths viewing the transition as an opportunity to strengthen stability and cooperation in the area.