The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Former Interior secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento has been appointed as the Presidential Adviser for Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, bringing his long record in local governance and legislative reform to the government’s peace building efforts, The Manila Times' source said Tuesday. Sarmiento will replace Carlito Galvez Jr., who has stepped down from his post. A former member of the House of Representatives representing the 1st District of Samar from 2010 to 2015, Sarmiento served during a critical period when Congress deliberated on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law. He was the principal author of House Bill 4994, a key legislative measure that sought to establish a new autonomous political entity in Muslim Mindanao, replacing the previous regional framework. Beyond his role in peace-related legislation, Sarmiento also authored and co-authored several major national laws, including Republic Act (RA) 10630, which strengthened the juvenile justice system, and RA 10364, which expanded the country’s anti-trafficking framework. He was also an original author of RA 11232, or the Revised Corporation Code, and RA 11392, which institutionalized national performing arts companies. Sarmiento also brings to the position his experience as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) from September 2015 to June 2016, where he oversaw key national bodies involved in peace and security, including serving as chairman of the National Peace and Order Council and vice chairman for disaster preparedness of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. As DILG chief, he likewise sat in multiple inter-agency bodies such as the Justice Sector Coordinating Council and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, providing him exposure to cross-sectoral coordination - an essential component in advancing peace and reconciliation efforts. Prior to his national roles, Sarmiento built his political career at the local level, serving as mayor of Calbayog City for three terms from 2001 to 2010, and earlier as vice mayor. He also served as secretary general of the League of Cities of the Philippines and chaired the Regional Development Council in Eastern Visayas, underscoring his grounding in grassroots governance.
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