The political situation in the administration of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao is not placid. Behind the façade of normalcy is a political tremor that shook many observers. This was sparked by the recent revamp of the cabinet of Interim Chief Minister Ebrahim Ahod Murad, which, so far, has netted two members. One is a high-profile member, whom many consider hard-working and a top performer, including this writer.

ICM Murad recently ordered members of the BARMM cabinet to tender their courtesy resignation. What triggered the sudden and drastic move? Search me, I am not privy to the intramural squabbles. But the default explanation is the banal phrase “to give a free hand to the Chief Minister to reorganize his cabinet and improve their service delivery” (Memorandum Circular No. 189). This is a subtle and diplomatic way of booting out who the chief executive wanted to be replaced. He allegedly wanted time to assess the performance of his official family. But there was more to it than what was reported.

Was politics or sub-par performance factored in? My gut feel is failing me. I have long thought that lawyer Naguib Sinarimbo, Minister of Interior and Local Government, is one of the effective performers whose presence is all over the media justifying decisions of the BARMM leadership. He was, in fact, the face of the regional leadership, with the Chief Minister rarely seen or heard. He was a minister cum spokesperson who articulately argued for BARMM on controversial issues. Unfortunately, his ubiquitous presence was his undoing. People perceived him as a super cabinet member who could get his way easily. Did he overdo and overstep the canal of his powers? Did he step in the shoes of people closer to the Chief Minister than him, politically, personally, or through kinship? Did his inflated hubris make him transcend beyond his shelf of power? It could be the interplay of these factors, collectively or singly. Residents deserve an explanation.

Sinarimbo’s high profile was a magnet for envy of other political titans competing to get the favor of the Chief Minister. He made them insecure. Power dynamics are such that if you are in the game of politics, watch your back, and be prepared for intrigues and insidious machinations to put you down for whatever reason, personal or work-related. 

He was a controversial figure. Recall his spat with Gov. Maryam Mangudadatu of Maguindanao del Sur, another political titan whose political stock was bolstered by the appointment of her husband, former Congressman/Governor Suharto Teng Mangudadatu, as Secretary of TESDA, signifying closeness to the central power. This may not be a factor in the removal (sacking is a harsh and rude term), but it keeps people wondering if Sinarimbo was a sacrificial lamb in the powerplay to curry favor from Gov. Maryam and, by extension, Malacañang. But it was nothing personal to Sinarimbo. He was only standing for the position adopted by BARMM.

Armchair analysts also offered the political maneuvers in the recent village election as a factor in replacing Sinarimbo. From the grapevine, we learned that he supported candidates in Cotabato City against the candidates of Mayor Bruce Matabalao, another power broker whose victory in the last election against a popular leader, Cynthia Sayade, gave the BARMM leadership something to crow about. It was proof of the electoral stock of BARMM-MILF. It boosted the future of the United Bangsamoro Justice Party.  In balancing the interests of the political future of the BARMM-MILF, the chief minister tilted in favor of Matabalao.

“Marites” with malicious minds say it has to do with unexplained wealth peddled by his critics. But nothing solid about the wild accusation.

This writer sees these issues as not serious enough to justify the unceremonious removal of Sinarimbo. What gives?

Sinarimbo should find a console from a Koranic verse: “When one door closes, another one opens.”

amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com