DAVAO CITY – The province of Maguindanao del Norte has two governors after the Palace appointed vice governor Bai Ainee Sinsuat.
It can be recalled that on April 5, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. appointed BARMM Senior Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua as officer-in-charge (OIC) and named Fatima Ainee Sinsuat as acting vice governor of Maguindanao del Norte.
After RA 11550 was ratified in September 2022, Sinsuat assumed as acting governor and board Member Mastura as acting vice governor.
Sinsuat petitioned Supreme Court asking the Bureau of Local Government Finance 12 to designat a provincial treasurer, which the court granted.
But BARMM Interior Minister Atty. Naguib Sinarimbo, in a news conference said the Bangsamoro government only recognizes Governor Macacua as the legitimate governor of Maguindanao Norte.
“As far as the BARMM is concerned, there is only one governor in Maguindanao del Norte. There is someone assuming but as far as we are concerned, Gov. Macacua is the only governor as appointed by Pres. Marcos and his appointment has not been recalled,” pahayag ni Sinarimbo sa isang news conference nitong Huwebes.
This developed as twelve (12) mayors of said province threw their support to Macacua.
Meanwhile, the Sanggunaing Panglalawigan held a special session on August 14 to fill up the position vacated by Sinsuat, the body designated Board Member Alexa Tomawis as acting vice governor.
Macacua temporarily holds office on Cotabato City while Sinsuat at Datu Odin Sinsuat town.
