New DILG chief vows to be non-partisan

MANILA, Philippines - Newly appointed Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento yesterday vowed not to use the department to advance the interests of the Liberal Party (LP) in the 2016 presidential elections.

Sarmiento, secretary-general of the LP, said his track record as mayor of Calbayog City for nine years would prove that he did not take advantage of his position for personal interests.

“My record would show that when I was a mayor, I gave the local police funds and other resources for their logistics but I did not ask them to do something for me or my political party,” he said in a television interview.

Sarmiento said he was an active member of the Rotary Club in Samar in the early ’90s and spearheaded many outreach programs.

He won as Calbayog City’s vice mayor at the age of 30.

In 1995, he returned to the private sector.

At the turn of the millennium, however, Calbayognons clamored for his return to city hall – this time as local chief executive. He heeded the call and easily won as mayor in 2001. He remained unbeatable until his term ended in 2010.

Their city won numerous awards, including the Galing Pook, Konrad Adenauer and Competitive City Award.

During Sarmiento’s term, Calbayog competed with Naga City for the best local government unit award.

This brought him close with then Naga City mayor Jesse Robredo since they were both active in the League of Cities of the Philippines.