She was vice mayor of Isabela City for 2016 to 2019, a part of and former provincial capital of Basilan that is administratively part of Zamboanga Peninsula, and was previously elected as mayor in the same city for 3 terms.
She graduated at Claret College of Isabela and became a Barangay official for many years and she became an employee at the provincial capital during Wahab Akbar's term as governor.
Born Roman Catholic, she converted to Islam when she became Akbar's second wife.
Cherry told reporters in 2007 that despite her husband, fellow wives, and several children running for office, "We're not trying to build a political dynasty.
We just want to serve the people of Basilan and we could do it better if our family is elected into office... Dynasties are not necessarily evil.