Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 2729

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B, FORTUNO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The euphoria generated by the pronouncement after election in 2010 of then
President-apparent Benigno Simeon C. Aquino Ill to take his oath before a punong,
barangay in his hometown in Tarlac has brought to the fore the issue as to whether or not
the punong barangay can administer oath 0 the highest official of the land. ‘The great
enthusiasm experienced by punong barangays at that time had practically been doused
with cold water when several legal luminaries expressed their legal views that the punong
barangay has no power to administer oath except “in connection with any matter relating
to all proceedings in the implementation of the katarungang pambarangay”,

This bill therefore seeks to empower the punong barangay to administer the
prescribed oath of office before any government official, including the President of the
Philippines, perform their respective functions and responsibilities. The paramount
objective of this piece of legislation is to give the incoming President wider latitude or
great opportunity to choose who, from among the public officials, will administer oath to
His Excellency. While this measure will break the long standing tradition where the
President takes his oath befére the Chief Justice, it will also give due recognition to the
untiring support extended by the punong barangay to the President. The oath-taking
ceremony, just like the seraph in heaven meeting the lowest reptiles of the dust, will give
the highest official of the land the opportunity to reach out to the highest official of the
lowest political unit.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought

SALVIO fb. FORTUNO
Rypresentative
Fifth Digtrict, Camarines Sur


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO. 2729

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B, FORTUNO-

AN ACT

AUTHORIZING THE PUNONG BARANGAY TO ADMINISTER THE OATH OF

OF ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT OF
HILIPPINES, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE.

ION 41 OF EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 292 OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE

ADMINISTRATIVE CODE OF 1987

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives
of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1, Section 41 of Executive Order No. 292 as amended otherwise known as
the Administrative Code of 1987 is hereby further amended (0 read as follows:

“SECTION 41. Officers Authoriged to Administer Oaths. ~ The
following officers have general authority to administer oath: President; Vice-
President, Members and Secretaries of both Houses of Congress; Members of the
Judiciary; Secretaries of Departments; provincial governors; and flicutenant]VICE-
governors, city mayors: municipal mayors; PUNONG BARANGAYS; bureau
directors; regional directors; clerks of courts; register of deeds; other civilian
officers in the public: service of the goverment of the Philippines whose
appointments are vested in the President and ate subject to confirmation by the
Commission on Appointments; all other constitutional officers, PAO lawyers in
connection with the performance of duty, and notaries public.

SEC. 2. All laws, executive orders, presidential decrees, rules and regulations, which
are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3, This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,

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