Maguindanao del Norte — In a recent Facebook post, Maguindanao del Norte Governor Abdulraof Macacua shared insights on how Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) officials strategized to shape Cotabato City’s political leadership from the time they worked to integrate the city into BARMM to the May 9, 2022 elections.
According to Governor Macacua, United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) fielded candidates in Cotabato City for the 2022 elections, with Bruce Matabalao running for mayor and Johari “Butch” Abu as his vice-mayor running mate. Their successful bid, aided by key figures such as Macacua and Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, was a point of celebration for UBJP leaders as it brought new leadership dedicated to good governance in Cotabato City.
Reflecting on the victory, Macacua expressed his joy, noting that UBJP-backed officials like Mayor Matabalao and Vice Mayor Abu would usher in a new era of governance for the city. However, the once-aligned leaders now appear to have diverging paths, with Macacua lamenting how their previous shared vision for Cotabato City seems to be fading.
Addressing rumors of a misstep in choosing candidates, Macacua clarified that UBJP stands by its choice, emphasizing that the party, led by President Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim, Minister Mohagher Iqbal, and Governor Macacua himself, provided their full support. He revealed that as early as the filing of certificates of candidacy, leaders, including Al Haj Murad Ebrahim and Mohagher Iqbal, had discussed a “political arrangement” for Cotabato City.
Macacua detailed that the original plan for 2025 would have been for Abu to retain his vice mayoral position while Matabalao continued as mayor, with Abu supported for the mayoral seat in 2028, following Matabalao’s completion of his third term. While this arrangement was communicated to Mayor Matabalao, it became untenable when Abu decided to switch to the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) and later took an oath with the Regional Political Party (SIAP), effectively leaving UBJP.
The governor released this statement to clarify that UBJP leaders had exhausted all means to support Cotabato City’s officials, but competing ambitions accelerated the timeline, leading to unanticipated conflicts. Macacua called for understanding from all sides, acknowledging the challenges of politics.
“Assalamu alaikum,” he wrote, addressing his constituents and emphasizing the contributions of UBJP leaders in supporting Cotabato City’s candidates in the 2022 elections. He praised their collaborative effort, particularly thanking Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo and others assigned to guide the candidates during the campaign.
Macacua ended his post with a reminder of UBJP’s commitment to peace and unity, expressing hope that the spirit of cooperation could prevail for the betterment of Cotabato City.
