50 applicants vie for Cabinet, top BARMM positions

COTABATO CITY — At least 50 people have applied for Cabinet and other top-tier positions in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) headed by Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua.

Macacua created a panel vetting the applicants for competence, integrity, and leadership as the first elected Bangsamoro Parliament gears up to fulfill its mandate until June 30, 2031.

As of Monday, 22 of the applicants had been interviewed, Member of Parliament Naguib Sinarimbo, a member of the screening committee, said.

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READ: BARMM opens applications for top gov’t positions

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The search and screening committee held the interviews at Bajau Hall inside the Bangsamoro Government Center here.

Its chair, Jordan Bayam, said the panel assesses applicants and submits recommendations, while the chief minister will appoint.

“The screening process is open to all qualified applicants regardless of political affiliations,” Bayam told reporters.

He added that the panel also interviewed and evaluated sitting ministers seeking to stay in the Cabinet.

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Bayam said the committee reviews applicants’ professional experience and also weighs whether they support the administration’s policy direction.

“We consider their alignment with the Government of the Day’s agenda under the elected Chief Minister, as well as their commitment to implementing moral governance,” he said.

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Under the Office of the Chief Minister Memorandum Circular No. 0147, series of 2026, the committee is tasked with vetting nominees for the Cabinet that will make up the regular Bangsamoro Government.

The Bangsamoro transition government established in 2019 ended on Oct. 30 after the election of parliament members.

Sinarimbo called the vetting a “substantial process” meant to ensure that the ministers and officials appointed are qualified and have the competence and integrity to serve.

The committee expects to finish the remaining interviews and give its recommendations to Macacua on or before Friday, Nov. 6.

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The new Cabinet and other top regional government officials will be announced afterwards./coa