Melchor Chavez, 70, 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, 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.
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).
The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any
1. Supports death penalty for drug offenders (i.e. “gun them down at Luneta Park”)
2. Expressed support for Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs but wants justice to be given to victims of extrajudicial killings
In his 2019 senatorial campaign, urged to go after the drug lord, not the poor; impose the death penalty for drug offenders (“kill them at Luneta to send a message”)
Support industrialization
Pursue an independent foreign policy and assert rights in the West Philippine Sea
The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so
Private Sector
Chavez was a broadcast journalist.
Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information
Resolved Actions and/or Proceedings
| Subject Matter | Relevant Dates | Accrued Liability | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declaration as a nuisance candidate by the Comelec, petition for review denied by the SC | Comelec Resolution dated Feb. 18, 2004 SC Resolution dated Apr. 13, 2004 |
Disqualified, name deleted from list of qualified candidates |
Resolved |
| Candidacy not given due course by the Comelec |
1998 |
Name not included in the list of qualified candidates |
Resolved |
| Disqualification from the 1992 election |
SC Resolution dated May 5, 1992 |
Disqualified, name deleted from list of qualified candidates |
Resolved |
Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.
Key details about the candidate's campaign
Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources
The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so
1. Abolition of the party-list system and the promotion of the two-party system, under Autonomous Regional Government, with the Senate being elected by regions
2. Decentralization of the Department of Tourism into the Board of Tourism and establishing a Regional Board of Tourism, to hasten the development of industry
3. Election of Secretary General and Chief Prosecutors of Provinces and Cities during Election Period to coincide with other elected officials and adopt the jury system
4. Automatic election of the vice president with his/her presidential candidate
5. Dismantle political dynasties that begin with the barangay level
6. Pursue an independent foreign policy and assert rights in the West Philippine Sea
President of the LPP, at least 2019 - present
1. Prosecute big time drug lords instead of small-time drug suspects
2. Opposes lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility
3. Supports the reimposition of the death penalty
4. Supports the legalization of medical marijuana
5. Supports the extension of Martial Law in Mindanao
6. Supports people’s initiative
Citizens’ Crime Watch Executive Vice President, 2013 - 2019
Senatorial Candidate, 2019
Status
Ongoing support for death penalty against drug lords and other big drug offenders, but not extrajudicial killings against the poor
Supports more investigations of land-grabbing and overhaul of land-titling system
Senatorial candidate, 2019
1. Shift to federalism
2. Opposes political dynasties,
3. Supports freedom of information
Senatorial candidate, 2019
1. Supports the passage of a divorce bill
2. Supports same-sex marriage
Senatorial candidate, 2019
Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience
• BA Political Science, Notre Dame College, 1973
• Broadcast journalist
