Carlos Isagani Zarate


Carlos Isagani "Kaloi" Tabora Zarate is a Filipino politician, lawyer, and activist serving as a Party-list Representative for Bayan Muna since 2013.

Early life and education

Zarate earned a bachelor's degree in Commerce with a major in Accountancy at the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University and later a Law degree at the Ateneo de Davao University.

Legal career

Upon admission to the Philippine Bar in 1995, Zarate engaged in a small legal practice focused on human rights law, serving a wide clientele including laborers, small farmers, indigenous peoples including the Moro, urban poor, and political prisoners. Zarate also served on various capacities on different professional associations for lawyers: As coordinator for the Free Legal Assistance Group in Davao City, as Secretary-General of the Union of People's Lawyers in Mindanao and Vice-President for Mindanao of the National Union of People's Lawyers. He also once served as the President of the Davao City chapter of the Integrated Bar.