Sarmiento was born in Manila to Engr. Oscar Sarmiento of Calbayog and Teresita Sevilla of Roxas City.[citation needed] He began his public service when he was vice mayor of Calbayog from 1992 to 1995. Prior to that, he was an active member of the Rotary Club in Samar.[1] Unsuccessful in his bid for the mayoralty the following term, he took a break from politics for 6 years, during which time he ran his own construction firm.[citation needed]
In 2004–2010, he ran and won as Mayor of Calbayog.[2] He then became a substitute of Congressman Uy, and Aquino as Mayor. He also represented League of Cities of the Philippines[3] as secretary general.
House of Representatives (2010–2015)
Sarmiento was elected as representative of the first district of Western Samar during the 15th Congress. While on his first term, he was Vice Chairman of the Committee on National Defense[4] and Committee on Public Order and Safety.[4] On his second term, he was appointed Vice Chairman of the Committee on Millennium Development Goals and Transportation. He resigned his seat following his appointment as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government in September 2015.[5]
While in Congress, he authored and co-authored several house bills and republic acts, namely:
House Bill No. 00084 – The Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act[6]
House Bill No. 03527 – The Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,[7] an act amending section 21 of Republic Act of 10121
Republic Act No. 10364[8] – An Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003[9]
Republic Act No. 10630,[10] – Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006[11] A consolidation of Senate Bill No. 3324 and House Bill No. 6052. An Act Strengthening the Juvenile Justice System in the Philippines, amending for the purpose known as the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006,
Commission on Appointments (2013–2015)
During his time as a member of Congress, Sarmiento was the Vice Chairman of the Commission on Appointments[12] and headed the House Contingent. The commission on appointments (CA) is a body that reviews, confirms or disapproves appointments made by the President to ensure only those who are qualified are appointed.
Other appointments
Chairman, Phil Army Multi-Sector Advisory Board[13][14]
Member, Civil Service Multi-Sector Advisory Council
Awards, honors, and recognition
In December 2007, Sarmiento received the Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence[18] (KAME IV) and was conferred by the Ambassador of Germany, H. E. Axel Weishaupt at Manila Hotel.
Sarmiento was briefly engaged to Kris Aquino in 2021.[20] Aquino had publicised her relationship with him in August,[21][22] a month after the death of her brother Benigno Simeon III.[23]
References
^Aquino, Ceazar Ryan (September 8, 2015). "Sino si Cong. Mel?". Facebook Page of the Liberal Party of the Philippines. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
