Featured image above shows BARMM Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua as he swears in new appointee, Jordan S. Bayam, as head of the MILG. (Credit: BARMM Gov’t)
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COTABATO CITY, April 7, 2026 (SDN) —The Bangsamoro Government’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) has a new head whom Chief Minister Abdulraof A. Macacua appointed to the post on Monday, April 6.
Macacua’s new appointee, Jordan S. Bayam, former assistant secretary at the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), will now lead the MILG in the foreseeable future. The Chief Minister formerly held the MILF in concurrent capacity.
Now Member of the Parliament (MP) Naguib G. Sinarimbo headed the MILG, one of the 15 primary ministries of the BARMM, for many years since the establishment of the Bangsamoro region in January 2019.
Sinarimbo was later replaced by MP Shah Elijah Dumama-Alba who was then removed and replaced by the chief minister.
To show his support, MP Sinarimbo congratulated Bayam on his appointment at the MILG. During his time at the interior ministry, Sinarimbo implemented reforms and put in place several programs and projects for the Bangsamoro population, through their local government units (LGUs).
In a statement, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) government described Bayam’s appointment to the interior ministry as “marking a significant leadership transition in the region’s governance sector.”
Before he was named by the Bangsamoro chief minister, played a key role “in advancing peace-building and institutional reform initiatives”.
Minister Bayam’s appointment reflects BARMM push to professionalize bureaucracy
The BARMM Government says his experience in public administration and peace processes is seen to further strengthen efforts toward normalization, improved local governance, and sustainable development across BARMM, particularly in communities affected by conflict.
“As MILG Minister, Bayam is expected to spearhead initiatives aimed at enhancing the delivery of basic services, reinforcing local government systems, and ensuring the effective implementation of policies aligned with the Bangsamoro Government’s priority agenda,” the statement reads.
“Observers note that his appointment reflects the government’s continued push to professionalize the bureaucracy and sustain reforms anchored on transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance,” the statement continues.
It can be recalled that during the country’s last political exercise, the National and Local Elections (NLE) on May 12, 2025, Bayam was instrumental in resolving some feuds among politicians in Maguindanao del Sur, and it’s expected that he’ll even be more attentive in monitoring and looking after any feuds among the political leaders in the Bangsamoro region.
Bayam and his big brother, MP Zulfikar “Sol” Sergio Bayam are two of the children of the late former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chief propagandist Hadji Akmad Bayam. Their father would have been proud of two siblings who are now in the Bangsamoro Government.
BARMM is comprised of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, and Tawi-Tawi; the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi; and the Special Geographic Area (SGA) with eight municipalities. (/)