Commissioner Karlo comes from a family of public servants, and thus, has a strong back ground in administrative law, and has extensive experience government affairs and public policy. 

He graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2000. He then earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School in 2005. He would specialize in administrative law, after his admission to the Philippine Bar in 2007.

He has served as an appointed and elected public official in Davao City. He was the leading councilor of the third district of Davao City. He was re-elected several times as city councilor.