POLITICAL SCIENCE 14

Carmelo “Mel” De Leon Carreon
62 Yrs. Old
Single
Came from a family of politicians (Grandfather and 3 other close relatives – Mayor, Oton)
Father – Gov’t Employee, Mother – Plain HW
Second to the youngest (3 brothers and 1 sister)
Currently lives in Mandurriao (Three of them living in a small house)


Educational Background:
BSC (Major in Accounting, Minor in Bus.Ad.) Graduate, VCC (dissolved)
Average Student
While he was in college, he was working as a political appointee

Work Experiences:
Metro Manila – Manufacturing Firm (Cost Accounting/Purchasing) for three years, then he moved to Davao.
From Davao, he went back to Iloilo and worked in a Home Appliance Center as supervisor. He again transferred to Roxas where he served as manager of another Appliance Center. After a short period of time, he resigned (because Roxas was far from civilization (layu sa sibilisasyon) and “lacks in energy”). Finally, he went back to Iloilo and stayed there up to the present.

Current Job: Insurance Agent, Fortune Guarantee
Yearly Income: P +/- 80,000

He founded an NGO (1987-1992), Panay Underwriter Association, Inc. where he served as the first and last president and chair of the board of trustees. Panay Underwriter Association, Inc. was the FIRST NGO Insurance Industry in Panay.

He was once featured in the Insurance Phil. Magazine in 1989 (a magazine that was issued in various Asian countries) and numerous appearances in news papers (particularly Panay News).


Candidacy…

(Financial) Supporters: Prominent People. (Commitments, endowments…)
“But I don’t rely too much on others” – MC

Nuisance Candidate?

“I was never declared as a nuisance candidate by the COMELEC. Since 1992, I was never disqualified”


Political Career (never won)

1992 – City Councilor, 1995 –Vice Mayor, 1998 – City Mayor, 2001 – City Mayor, 2004 – Congressman (Lone District), 2007 – “absent” (because he anticipated that cases will be filed against him), 2010 – Vice Mayor.

“In 2007, I was included in the Magic Four in surveys (for City Councilor).”

“I filed the COC for the presidency last November 2009, but I backed out because my financers also backed out.”
Threats…

“Since then, I’ve received a lot of life threats; threats from other politicians who think that my candidacy is a major threat to theirs. I’m already immuned from death threats. Threats will never stop me from running.”

“My candidacy is supported by my whole family.”


Edge against other candidates…

“My EXPOSURES for the past 20 years..I’m been televised worldwide in CNN, nationwide in ABS-CBN & GMA, I’m a radio commentator & host of the radio segment “Labugay Boys” which covers discussions on any topic under the sun, I’v e been speaker in various gatherings (e.g. The Rotary Club Gtahering in Del Rio)..”


Current Political Party:

“I personally created my pol. party. This was not registered in the COMELEC. LTS or Long Term Survival. But my loyalty to my party ends when my loyalty to the country begins.”


Independence (rate in a scale of 10)

“10/10. I don’t depend on financial support from others to pursue my advocacies. But if they will offer me something, then I will also gladly accept it. I ran every election chiefly at my own expense.”


Possibility of Winning…

“I can’t rate it in a scale. Basta DAKU lang ang chance ah. I have a big chance of winning.”

“I continue to run despite of my previous losses because I’m really determined to serve. Don’t give up. After all it’s my right to run for public office. No one can stop me from doing that. If it’s my destiny to win, I will win.”


Leadership Skills (in a scale 10)

“Most probably 10…because of my exposures, experiences..”


Disadvantages/Shortcomings (as a public servant)…

“I have NONE. No disadvantages. I’m immuned from problems. I’m confident that if I will encounter some problems, I can overcome all of them.”


Intelligence…

“I’m just on the average.”
Attributes…

Bloodline. “I came from a family of politicians. I never expected to be one. My blood is my inspiration in getting into politics.”
Transparency
Achievements in the Public Sector
Exposure. “I have met and exposed to people from all walks of life.”
Determination to pursue his goals (despite being financially handicapped)
Experienced
Honest (Honesty in dealing with people)
Trustworthy


Priorities in Life… 1-4
1) God. “Fear God and obey the 10 Commandments”
2) Family
3) Politics/Political Career
4) Self. “The self should always be the last priority. Humility + simplicity = admiration.”

Priorities (as Vice Mayor):

To the poor people in Iloilo: Microfinancing & Livelihood programs depending on the budget of the city

The SB Sessions will be held in the Municipal Plaza (for everyone to see/witness)
Investigate unresolved anomalies in the local government
Review Municipal Ordinances/Revise or implement unenforced laws
Transparency in governance. A balance sheet (asset-liabilities) with regards to the financial status of the municipality will also be posted in the municipal plaza for the people to see


Conflicts with other people…

“So far, in my numerous years of work experience, meeting diff. kinds of people as an insurance agent, I have not encountered any conflicts, esp. with my clients.”


How can your Work Experience help you in your Political Career

“My work experienced has exposed me to different kinds of problems, and has also taught me diff. ways to overcome these problems. My work experienced has greatly influenced my problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills – the things that will carry with me in my political career.”


Insanity?

“I’m just labeled by some people as insane plainly because of my poverty; because I’m poor; because I’m financially underdog. And I don’t mind it.”


Political Views…

Charter Change

“The present constitution should be amended thru a Constitutional Convention because the Constitution is TOO BROAD. Since 1987, we haven’t improved in terms of everything (economic growth, standards of living, etc.)”

“I support the idea of shifting to a Parliamentary and Federal system and form of government. “Federal” so that regions will be independent from each other. Region 6 can make its own laws for Region 6 (because a good law in Mindanao may not really be good in Visayas).”

On Arroyo

“It’s true that Arroyo is UNPOPULAR. But if eventually she will be chosen by the congress as Speaker of the House, then Prime Minister, we have to respect it..because that id the Law of the land.”

Impression on the current Iloilo City Vice Mayor..

“I don’t have the right to judge him. Just let the people decide.”


Political “know-how”…

“Live today, dream for tomorrow, and learn from yesterday. Study the past. It will divide your future.”


Q: Why are you still single? “Because I’m so CHOOSY.”


Strengths & Weaknesses…

Weakness. “I admit that I have some weaknesses, but I can turn them (the negative) into ‘positive’ through prayers.” Weakness is just a state of mind.”

Most Powerful Strength: “My Health.”


…

“My loyalty to my party ends when my loyalty to the country begins.”

“You can’t please everybody. No matter how good you are.”

“Above all, we should be God-fearing. In God we trust.”

- Mel Carreon