Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua was elected the first chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Oct. 30, receiving 51 votes during the inaugural session of the first regular Bangsamoro Parliament.
Macacua, leader of the Bangsamoro Federalist Party, defeated former interim Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, who received 27 votes. One parliament member abstained and another was absent. Seventy-nine of 80 members attended.
Macacua took his oath before Bangsamoro Wali Sheikh Muslim Guiamaden.
His election ended the seven-year administration of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, established after BARMM was created in 2019 under a peace agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
Macacua previously served as interim chief minister after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him in March 2025 to replace Ebrahim. He also led the MILF’s armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces.
In a message to the inaugural session, Marcos described the transition to the first regular parliamentary government as a historic achievement for the Bangsamoro, Mindanao and the country.
He said the next challenge is to build a government that delivers services, manages public funds and creates economic opportunities. Marcos pledged government support for Bangsamoro autonomy and the elected Parliament.
