The scheduled elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) will proceed as set by Congress on October 12, Interim Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua confirmed.
Macacua said he was not aware of any lobbying for another postponement of the elections, which had been suggested during a meeting between BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal and Senator Imee Marcos.
Iqbal had earlier warned Marcos about alleged lobbying efforts in Congress to delay the elections and extend the appointive tenure of BARMM officials.
Macacua made his position clear in an address to newly elected local officials, stating that the polls must push through and that the “Moral Governance” framework initiated by former Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim is under attack.
“Victory is determined by the will of Allah—not by the designs of political opponents,” Macacua said, quoting from the Qur’an and affirming the Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) political integrity.
He urged people to ignore rumours, noting that had they believed falsehoods prior to the May elections, the MILF’s United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP) would not have won overwhelmingly in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
“For the upcoming elections, MILF Chairman Ebrahim remains the first nominee and president of UBJP,” he said, adding that protecting the Moral Governance framework is a duty of all Moro leaders.
He revealed that since publicly disclosing his mobile number, his inbox has been flooded with complaints—from delayed salaries to overdue promotions—reflecting public frustrations.
Governor-elect Datu Tocao Mastura of Maguindanao del Norte meanwhile called on fellow Moro officials to embrace political maturity by seeking reconciliation with rivals after elections.
Speaking at the mass oath-taking of elected officials, Mastura, 76, said it was his first time to swear an oath using the Holy Qur’an, which he said heightened the spiritual weight of his commitment.
“I did not swear before Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua. I swore before Allah—and that makes me shiver,” said Mastura, a certified public accountant known for devoting time to Qur’anic study.
He will succeed his son, Governor Sharifuddin Tucao Mastura, also a CPA and a Hafiz—someone who has memorised the Qur’an.
Maguindanao del Sur Governor-elect Hadji Ali Midtimbang and Vice Governor-elect Ustadz Hisham Nando echoed Mastura’s call for unity, noting that their electoral victories were possible only with Allah’s will and MILF support.
Controversy remains over who should be recognised as the province’s first elected officials, with Board Member-elect Norodin Ampatuan and his family insisting it should be former Governor Bai Mariam Sangki-Mangudadatu.
In his speech, Mastura expressed gratitude to supporters, especially his sons, former Sultan Kudarat mayor Samim Mastura and outgoing Governor Sharifuddin. He also took the opportunity to apologise to political rival Rep. Toto Mangudadatu.
“To all those who felt hurt by what I said during the campaign, I am reaching out—especially to Congressman Toto Mangudadatu. I say, ‘sorry’… sorry… sorry,” Mastura repeated.
Those present noted that only a true leader would issue an unsolicited public apology. The Masturas are direct descendants of 17th-century Muslim hero Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat.
