Chief Minister Takes Over Ministry of the Interior
COTABATO CITY — On July 22, Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua took on the leadership of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in a concurrent capacity. This move came after he accepted the courtesy resignation of former Interior Minister Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba, marking a significant shift in the BARMM leadership.
Macacua’s decision to assume the ministry’s top post follows his earlier directive on June 24, when he asked all ministers, deputy ministers, director generals, and office heads to submit courtesy resignations. This step aimed to address reported anomalies and delays in salary payments, as well as issues with suppliers and contractors in the regional government.
Leadership Transition and Commitment to Service
After accepting Dumama-Alba’s resignation, Macacua formally took over the MILG during a turnover ceremony held at the chief minister’s office. Dumama-Alba, a lawyer appointed by former Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim on December 7, 2023, expressed pride in her ministry’s dedication to public safety and good governance.
“I proudly hand over a ministry deeply committed to public safety, good local governance, moral governance, and unity,” Dumama-Alba said.
Macacua assured the public that his leadership would sustain and build upon the MILG’s programs to support local government units throughout the region. “With humility and firm resolve, I accept the responsibility of leading the MILG while continuing to serve as the Chief Minister of the Bangsamoro region. This is a commitment to deepen our service to the Bangsamoro,” he stated.
Ongoing Bureaucratic Reforms
Since becoming chief minister in March 2025, Macacua has retained about 10 of the 40 senior ministers and top officials in BARMM, while the status of others remains undecided. His acceptance of the MILG leadership reflects his intent to strengthen governance and address pressing issues within the regional bureaucracy.
“Leadership is not about position, but responsibility. As I take on this role in the MILG, I call on each of you to remain dedicated to serving our people. Together, we will continue building a strong Bangsamoro guided by moral governance,” Macacua said.
Alba’s Continued Role in Bangsamoro Parliament
Though stepping down from the MILG, Dumama-Alba remains an active member and floor leader of the interim Bangsamoro parliament. She reflected on her time at the ministry with heartfelt dedication: “In every moment I served the MILG, I gave not just my mind, but my heart. What we built together is rooted in love for the Bangsamoro. That will remain, even as I take a different path.”
Local leaders noted these changes as part of the ongoing efforts to improve governance and service delivery in BARMM. For more news and updates on Bangsamoro leadership changes, visit Filipinokami.com.
