Championing the Barangay System

On October 16, 2015, Martin B. Diño, who was then chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and
Corruption (VACC), was inevitably thrust into the national political scene when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), mere minutes before the
deadline. Although then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte eventually substituted for him as presidential standard bearer of PDPLaban (subsequently winning the presidency in the May 13, 2016 elections), Diño soon played a prominent role in implementing the Duterte administration’s various local government policies, specifically at the barangay level.

ROAD TO GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Known for his high-profile role as VACC chairman, Diño was particularly engaged in the group’s effort to seek justice for victims of heinous crimes and accountability for corrupt government officials, providing Filipinos with a glimpse of his capabilities as a leader of a non-government organization (NGO).

However, he evidently honed his potential and then made his mark professionally as a public servant in various capacities.

Not many may be aware that Diño actually started his career in government service in 1978, as area coordinator and then supervisor of the Quezon City government’s Barangay Operations Center. He likewise worked as part of the internal audit team of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

The year 1994 was Diño’s first foray in an elective government post, when he was elected chairperson of Barangay San Antonio in Quezon City, serving his constituents for 13 years until 2007. “Lahat ng natutuhan
ko during the time na nasa Quezon City Barangay Operations Center ako at ‘yung experience ko na 13 years as barangay chairperson… kaya well-versed ako sa Local Government Code (I’m well-versed in the
Local Government Code, given my learnings and experiences while working in the Quezon City Barangay Operations Center and 13 years as barangay chairperson).”

Clearly, his extensive experience at the local government level enabled him to gain familiarity with the different facets of local governance, preparing him for his future role in the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

TEMPORARY DETOUR
Diño explains that when the Duterte administration took over on June 30, 2016, the original plan was for him to be appointed to a position in DILG. However, a medical condition at the time prevented his .....