By: Jim Lloyd Dongiapon
Following the oathtaking ceremony at the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City yesterday afternoon, September 23, the government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) released the list of newly-appointed and reappointed ministers and other officials who will form its Cabinet.
Ahod Ebrahim, who has been the Chief Minister of BARMM since 2019, continues to lead the Bangsamoro government.
Ali Solaiman of North Central Mindanao and Albakil Jikiri of South Western Mindanao have been reappointed as Deputy Chief Ministers.
The Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management (MFBM) has a new leader in Atty. Ubaida Pacasem.
Similarly, Akmad Brahim has been named Minister of Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy (MENRE), and Atty. Paisalin Tago has been appointed Minister of Transportation and Communications (MOTC).
On the other hand, the following heads of other ministries have retained their positions:
Mohammad Yacob – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR)
Mohagher Iqbal – Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE)
Hamid Aminoddin Barra – Ministry of Human Settlements and Development (MHSD)
Melanio Ulama – Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs (MIPA)
Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo – Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG)
Muslimin Sema – Ministry of Labor and Employment (MOLE)
Hussein Muñoz – Ministry of Public Order and Safety (MPOS)
Arch. Eduard Guerra – Ministry of Public Works (MPW)
Engr. Aida Silongan – Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST)
Atty. Raissa Jajurie – Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD)
Abuamri Taddik – Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Tourism (MTIT)
The Ministry of Health (MOH), however, has yet to be formally designated a minister. For now, Dr. Zul Qarneyn Abas will serve as its officer-in-charge .
Meanwhile, other appointed Cabinet officials are as follows:
Abdulraof Macacua – Senior Minister
Abdullah Cusain – Assistant Senior Minister
Mohd Asnin Pendatun – Cabinet Secretary
Alvin-Yasher Abdulgafar – Chief of Staff
Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba – Attorney General
Engr. Mohajirin Ali – Director General, Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA)
Butch Malang – Administrator, Special Geographic Area Development Authority (SGADA)
As per the Bangsamoro Organic Law, the Cabinet shall have at least one female member. The current lineup includes three women.