Who is Mel Sarmiento?

Former Interior secretary Mel Sarmiento has been appointed as the new Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, replacing retired military General Carlito Galvez Jr.

Malacanang made the announcement Tuesday as it confirmed the resignation of Galvez.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said Sarmiento's appointment is especially vital in the Bangsamoro as it moves toward its first parliamentary elections and the full realization of the Comprehensive Agreement.

"Secretary Sarmiento's background in local government and public administration equips him well for the task," Castro said.

Sarmiento was the third DILG secretary under the Aquino administration, serving from 2015 to 2016. He replaced former senator Mar Roxas after the latter resigned from his post as part of his preparations for the 2016 national elections. 

In DILG, Sarmiento served as the chairperson of the National Peace and Order Council. He was also the vice-chairperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. 

He also led the Aquino administration’s move to address the problem of private armed groups (PAGs).

In one of his speeches as DILG chief, Sarmiento said that "public service is a commitment. You must have the heart and passion for it."

He also said that being in government does not only mean providing services, but providing the people with the best services available.

Before he was appointed DILG chief, Sarmiento was in his second term as representative of the first district of Western Samar. He started his career in politics as vice mayor of Calbayog City from 1992 to 1995. He ran and won as mayor of Calbayog City in 2001 after a six-year hiatus following his defeat in the mayoralty race in 1995.

During his stint as mayor, Sarmiento was elected as a two-term Secretary General of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

He also served as chairperson of the Regional Development Council for Eastern Visayas during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Sustainable and inclusive peace

In a message to GMA News Online, Sarmiento thanked President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr for trusting him.

"I am grateful to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for his trust and confidence in my capacity to handle this responsibility. I deeply appreciate his belief in my ability to serve in this position, and I remain committed to advancing our shared goals for peace, unity, and national development," he said.

He added that under his leadership, OPAPRU will prioritize the pursuit of sustainable and inclusive peace, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), while ensuring that the gains of all peace agreements signed by government in the past are preserved, strengthened, and fully implemented.

"We will continue to advance a whole-of-nation approach in addressing internal armed conflict, working closely with local government units as frontliners of peacebuilding and development in their respective communities," Sarmiento said.

"Ultimately, our efforts are anchored on uniting as one nation in achieving our shared aspirations under Ambisyon Natin 2040, a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Philippines for all Filipinos," he added. —AOL, GMA News