Aquino appointee accepts 'challenge' as DILG chief

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento said on Wednesday he is ready to accept new challenge and serve people in the cause of "Daang Matuwid."

The newly-appointed Sarmiento, who is also currently the president of the Liberal Party, thanked President Benigno Aquino III for giving him the opportunity to continue Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas II in the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Sarmiento said the reforms were discussed with them by the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo when they were still mayors.

"I am ready to accept any new challenge to be able serve our people better and advance the cause of good governance and Daang Matuwid," Sarmiento said in a statement.

"Replacing Secretary Mar Roxas to head a very complex institution like the Department of the Interior and Local Government is definitely a colossal task but with people's prayers and support, I am confident I would be able to effectively carry our the mandate of my new assignment," he added.

Among the reforms he vowed to press for are modernization of the Philippine National Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the other agencies under the DILG.

Sarmiento also mentioned that maintaining a peace, honest and orderly election in 2016 is among his priorities.

"We will continue to uphold the high standards of the institution in public service and guarantee that the national police and the entire uniformed service under the DILG will be neutral in ensuring a peaceful, honest and orderly election in 2016," Sarmiento said.

On Tuesday, Aquino announced the appointment of Sarmiento as the new DILG secretary to replace Roxas, who stepped down after being proclaimed the LP's standard-bearer for the 2016 presidential elections.

READ: LP stalwart named DILG chief

Sarmiento served as mayor of Calbayog City for nine years before he was elected to Congress in 2010.

He was also the secretary general of the League of Cities of the Philippines for six years during his term as Calbayog City mayor.

Sarmiento is currently head of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments, and vice chairman of the committees on public order and safety, and national defense and security.

Roxas, on the other hand, headed the DILG since 2012, after Jesse Robredo died in a plane crash.