Maguindanao del Norte, Philippines – Governor Abdulraof Macacua, the appointed leader of Maguindanao del Norte, formally submitted his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Saturday, November 9, just before the filing deadline for the 2025 Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) parliamentary elections.
Macacua, seeking to represent the 3rd District of Maguindanao del Norte, was accompanied by relatives and supporters as he filed his candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Cotabato City. His district encompasses the municipalities of Sultan Kudarat, Northern Kabuntalan, Kabuntalan, and Talitay, all located within Maguindanao del Norte.
Representing the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) political arm, Macacua aims to secure one of the four BARMM parliament seats allocated to his province. The UBJP is working to retain its influence in the regional parliament in the upcoming elections.
Macacua, a resident of Mother Kabuntalan, brings extensive experience to his candidacy. He served as BARMM’s senior minister, as well as its environment and energy minister, from 2019 to 2022. He was also a commissioner on the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) and a member of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), contributing significantly to the region’s governance and development efforts.
In 2023, Macacua was appointed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as the officer-in-charge of Maguindanao del Norte’s provincial government, a role he took on with some surprise, as he had never aspired to such a position. His journey reflects both a personal and collective commitment to advancing the Bangsamoro cause, and his candidacy represents a step forward in the region’s democratic evolution.
The BARMM parliamentary elections in 2025 are anticipated to be a significant milestone for the region as it continues to establish its governance under the newly formed parliamentary system.
