Ismael Sueno

Ismael "Mike" Dres Sueno (born July 1947 or 1948)[1][2] is the former Secretary of the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government.[3][4] He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Mel Senen Sarmiento starting June 30, 2016. A member and former national chairman of PDP–Laban, he served as Governor of South Cotabato under President Corazon Aquino.[1] On April 4, 2017, Sueno was dismissed as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government by Duterte due to 'loss of trust and confidence'.[4][5]

Ismael Sueno
Sueno on September 2016
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
In office June 30, 2016 – April 4, 2017
President	Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	Mel Senen Sarmiento
Succeeded by	Catalino Cuy (OIC)
Assembly Member of the Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development
In office 1997–1998
President	Fidel Ramos
Governor of South Cotabato
In office 1986–1992
Preceded by	Sergio Morales
Succeeded by	Hilario de Pedro III
Mayor of Koronadal
In office 1980–1986
Preceded by	Gerardo Calaliman
Succeeded by	Hilario de Pedro III
Personal details
Born	Ismael Dres Sueno Koronadal, Cotabato, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Political party	PDP–Laban Probinsya Muna Development Initiative
Spouse(s)	Jocelyn Bernardo Sueño
Alma mater	Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seminary
Occupation	Businessman

Early life and education

Sueno was born and raised in Koronadal, then known as Marbel, in the former undivided Province of Cotabato.[6] His parents were Perfecto Sueno Sr., the first municipal vice mayor of Koronadal, and Ma. Neri Dres.[7] He has five brothers (Rolando, Perfecto Jr., Roberto, Leo and Joseph), and one sister (Corazon), some of which have already migrated to the United States.[8][9] He obtained his associate degree in Arts from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Seminary in Marbel in 1964. He then pursued his Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Regional Major Seminary.[6]

Political career

Sueno was elected municipal mayor of Koronadal in 1980 during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos. In 1986, following the People Power Revolution, he was appointed by President Corazon Aquino as officer-in-charge (OIC) governor of the province of South Cotabato. He then served a full term as provincial governor from 1988 to 1992.[1] During his term as governor, he pursued several environmental and reforestation programs integrated with livelihood projects. He imposed a total logging ban in the province and also helped organize and strengthen local cooperatives.[10]

In 1997, Sueno was appointed to the Southern Philippine Council for Peace and Development (SPCPD) Consultative Assembly by President Fidel Ramos.[1] He was an unsuccessful candidate for vice president and running mate to Emilio Osmeña on the Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (PROMDI) ticket in the 1998 presidential election.[6]

Sueno ran for congressman of South Cotabato's 2nd District in 2001 but lost to Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr. In 2007, he made another unsuccessful bid for Vice Governor of the province under the administration party.[11]

He was appointed Secretary of Interior and Local Government by Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on June 30, 2016. On April 4, 2017, he was reported by Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre as having been fired from his office by the President due to corruption allegations.[4]

References

1. "The Duterte Cabinet". Interaksyon. June 1, 2016. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
2. "PNP Chief: Killing of suspected drug lord is birthday gift to Interior Secretary". CNN Philippines. July 22, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2016.
3. "DILG welcomes new Secretary Ismael "Mike" Sueno". Department of the Interior and Local Government. July 5, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
4. "BREAKING: Sueno has been sacked — Aguirre". Philippine Daily Inquirer. April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
5. "Abella: Duterte dismisses DILG Secretary Sueno due to 'loss of trust and confidence'". CNN Philippines. April 4, 2017. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
6. "MBC Research Report 9: The Vice Presidentiables" (PDF). Makati Business Club. April 1998. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
7. "History of Koronadal City". National Statistical Coordination Board. Archived from the original on June 19, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
8. "Joseph Dres Sueno, MD. – 1949–2006". Woodlawn Forest. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
9. Laguardia, M.C. (January 4, 2004). "A doctor's bout with cancer". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
10. "South Cotabato: An Overview". Koronadal Site. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
11. "SoCot congressional race heats up". MindaNews. February 22, 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2016.