Mar turns over DILG to partymate

MANILA, Philippines - Liberal Party (LP) stalwart Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento took over yesterday as secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as his predecessor Manuel Roxas II urged him to continue the agency’s policy of clean and transparent governance.

During the turnover ceremony at the DILG main office in Quezon City, Roxas – standard-bearer of the ruling LP in the 2016 elections – thanked Sarmiento for accepting the challenge to lead the department that has jurisdiction over local government units, the police, fire services and the jail bureau.

Roxas turned over the DILG flag to Sarmiento and handed over some rugged slippers placed in a frame as a sign of good leadership in the DILG.

He said that Sarmiento has the competence and experience to lead the DILG. Roxas became DILG secretary after then secretary Jesse Robredo – known for his tsinelas (slippers) leadership – died in a plane crash off Masbate in 2012.

Roxas also said he would be leaving the department a legacy of clean and transparent governance.

Roxas said earlier in Lucena City that he is proud of his performance in the DILG.

He told local radio in Lucena City that the implementation and effectiveness of bottom-up budgeting of the DILG also resulted in the allocation of about P12 million or P15 million to each city and municipality in the country.

“All are equal, no asking what city or who is the mayor, or what party or are they allies of the congressman, regardless of political affiliation,” Roxas added.

According to Roxas, the DILG policy including its aims, guidelines and procedures clearly emphasizes good governance.

After the radio interview, Roxas went to the Lucena City public market and talked with vendors and checked the prices of commodities.

Roxas said that Sarmiento deserves the position, citing that his reputation for 20 years in the local government has never been stained.

“His competence is well-established in his nearly 20 years of public service. Thank you very much, Mel, for that sacrifice and for your service for daang matuwid,” Roxas said.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who also attended the turnover ceremonies at the DILG, was elated with the appointment of Sarmiento.

“We’re happy that one of our old people, one of us has been recognized and elevated to this position,” Belmonte said, adding that the reputation of all of them in the House is at stake, “so I challenge you also to do your best.”

Belmonte said that he will appoint a  caretaker of the congressional district that Sarmiento would leave behind.

Should no one will be appointed, Belmonte said that he will temporarily serve as the caretaker, since there are only nine months left before the next elections.

He added that Rep. Antonio del Rosario from Capiz will replace Sarmiento as chairman of the Committee on Appointments in the house contingent.

Sarmiento, on the other hand, said that he is accepting the DILG post to serve the Filipino people and to help the administration on its campaign toward the straight path. He will start work on Monday morning.

He told reporters that he would continue the existing projects that Roxas had started, especially the Oplan Lambat Sibat anti-crime campaign.

Sarmiento explained that he could no longer initiate new projects as the administration of President Aquino has only nine months before its term ends in 2016.

Asked for comment about people who question his credibility, Sarmiento said that his track record speaks for itself.

He said he had served as secretary general of the League of Cities of the Philippines when he became mayor of Calbayog City in Samar, and later was elected a congressman.

Asked what would be his role in the 2016 polls, Sarmiento said that he would work for honest, peaceful and fair elections in 2016.

He also assured the people that the DILG would be non-partisan.

Malacañang rejected the proposal of Vice President Jejomar Binay to transfer the functions of the DILG to the Office of the President during the May 2016 elections to avoid suspicions that the agency’s officials are engaged in partisan politics.

Binay raised the issue following perceptions that government resources could be used in the campaign of Roxas.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the data of the implementation of Oplan Lambat Sibat in the National Capital Region and other pilot areas contradict the assumptions of the Vice President. With Delon Porcalla, Michelle Zoleta