Chairperson, Government Peace Implementing Panel for the GPH–MILF Peace Process

Secretary Mel Senen S. Sarmiento is a veteran public servant whose career spans local governance, national administration, legislation, peacebuilding, institutional reform, and regional development. In April 2026, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed him Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, tasking him to lead government efforts to advance inclusive peace, strengthen stakeholder partnerships, and sustain development in conflict-affected and vulnerable communities.

In July 2026, he was also appointed Chairperson of the Government Peace Implementing Panel for the Government of the Philippines–Moro Islamic Liberation Front peace process, concurrently with his OPAPRU post. In this role, he helps oversee the implementation of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro and the continuing transition toward enduring peace, effective governance, and socioeconomic development in the Bangsamoro.

Sarmiento brings an unusually broad understanding of how policy translates from the national level to communities on the ground.

He began his public-service career as Vice Mayor of Calbayog City, later serving three terms as Mayor from 2001 to 2010. During his tenure, Calbayog was recognized for governance performance, and official records note that the city registered the highest reduction in poverty incidence among Philippine cities from 2003 to 2009. He subsequently represented the First District of Samar in the House of Representatives from 2010 to 2015 before being appointed Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, serving from 2015 to 2016.

As a legislator, he authored or helped advance major measures including the Strengthened Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, the Strengthened Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the Revised Corporation Code, and the National Performing Arts Companies Act. His career has also included leadership roles with the League of Cities of the Philippines, the Regional Development Council of Eastern Visayas, Galing Pook Foundation, and institutions involved in governance, disaster-risk reduction, and leadership development.

His contributions to public service have been recognized with major national honors, including the Order of Lakandula, Rank of Gold Cross; the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Grand Cross; and the Presidential Medal of Merit.