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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 149

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B. FORTUNO,

AN ACT
EMPOWERING THE PUNONG BARANGAY TO ADMINISTER OATH OF
OFFICE TO ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
SECTION 420 OF REPUBLIC ACT No. 7160 AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNONW AS THE LOCAL GOVENRMENT CODE OF 1991

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

SECTION 1. Section 420 of Republic Act No. 7160 as amended, otherwise
known as the Local Government Code of 1991 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“SECTION 420. Power to Administer Oaths. — THE
PUNONG BARANGAY IS HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO
ADMINISTER THE PRESCRIBED OATH OF OFFICE BEFORE
PERFORMING OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES,
TO ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, INCLUDING THE
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

The punong barangay, as chairman of the lupong
tagapamayapa, and the members of the pangkat are ALSO hereby
authorized to administer oaths in connection with any matter relating to
all proceedings in the implementation of the katarungang pambarangay.”

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which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified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 effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two
newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,


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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 140

Introduced by: REPRESENTATIVE SALVIO B. FORTUNO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The euphoria generated by the earlier pronouncement of then President-apparent
Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III 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 adthinister oath to the highest official of the land. The great enthusiasm felt
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 10 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 from who 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 before the Chief Justice, it will also give due recognition to the
‘untiring support extended by the punong barangays to the President. The oath-taking
ceremony will give the highest official of the land the opportunity to reach out to the
highest official of the lowest political unit, just like the seraph in heaven meeting the
lowest reptiles of the dust.

‘The foregoing reasons warrant the immediate approval of this bill.

HON. SALVIO B. FORTUNO

presentative
Fifth District, Camarines Sur