Melchor Chavez is a broadcast journalist, is among the most veteran of the perennial candidates for public office. He was disqualified by the Supreme Court in 1992, not given due course by the Comelec in 1998, declared a nuisance candidate by the same poll body in 2004, and declared eligible to run in 2001, 2016 and 2019. He has not, however, won any race for public office.
In March 2017, Melchor Chavez and fellow Marcos loyalist Oliver Lozano filed an impeachment complaint against Vice President Leni Robredo over her video message to the United Nations Commission on Narcotics criticizing the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs. Chavez and Lozano claimed that Robredo betrayed the nation by delivering what they called a dishonest message. Lozano, a lawyer, also previously sought the impeachment of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo five times and President Benigno Aquino III twice. Their impeachment complaint against Robredo did not gain any endorsement from members of the lower chamber.
Melchor Chavez is persisting for the 2022 senatorial elections, maintaining his long-held view that the only sure way to lose is to not run at all. In this cycle, he is banking on the support of a five-million-strong voting base of the Citizens’ Crime Watch (per his own estimate).
“Maganda ang aming hangarin sa Labor Party para sa kapakanan ng bayan. Kaya sa inyong lahat, mga kababayan, tumindig na kayo para sa bayan.”
MELCHOR GONGORA CHAVEZ – PROFILE
Full Name: Melchor Gongora Chavez
Nickname: Mel
Birthdate: August 6, 1951 (Age 72)
Birthplace: Kidapawan City, Cotabato
Residence: Manila
Spouse: Susana Pacheco Chavez
Profession/Occupation: Broadcast Journalist
EDUCATION:
- BA Political Science, Notre Dame College, 1973
WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Broadcast Journalist
PLATFORM AND POLICY
Law and Order
- Supports death penalty for drug offenders (i.e. “gun them down at Luneta Park”)
- Expressed support for Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs but wants justice to be given to victims of extrajudicial killings
Economy
- Support industrialization
Foreign Policy
- Pursue an independent foreign policy and assert rights in the West Philippine Sea
