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

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILLNO.__ 4991

Introduced by ATTY. MAGTANGGOL T, GUNIGUNDO 1

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The main thrust of this bill is to. change the term of barangay officials (punong
barangay and kagawads) from three (3) to five (5) years, amending for the purpose
Republic Acts 9164 and 9340, and for other purposes, in a bid to address the issue of
savings, effective governance and implementation of long-term projects nationwide.

Barangay elections entail huge expenses for the government, especially the
Commission on Elections. Likewise, the candidates also expend considerable amount to
ensure their victory in the polls. Having electoral exercises every three (3) years is
going to be a drain on money which maybe better spent on other worthwhile activities.
In October 2010, in electing the 294,175 barangay officials for the 42,025 barangays
across the archipelago, the COMELEC needed at least 3.2 billion pesos from the
government coffers fo stage the political exercise. In 2007 barangay elections, the
government spent at least 2 billion pesos. if we can decrease the frequency of barangay
elections, the government could save enough money to pay its burgeoning budget deficit
and use the other funds for primary concems like construction of classrooms, repair of
roads, heaith services and housing programs.

This proposed measure likewise minimizes the intense rivalries, enmities and
conflicts engendered by barangay contests even among close relatives. According to the
report of the Philippine National Police, violence is high during barangay contests as it
recorded various cases pertaining to the 2010 barangay elections.

Also; considering that the set of barangay officials constitutes the pool from which
city and municipal officials often come, there is merit for a tonger period of five (5) years
to afford barangay officials adequate training and experience in local governance. The
extension would also give officials time to show more what they've got. Three (3) years
is not enough to implement their long-term projects and it interrupts their defivery of
basic services in the most basic level of governance.

Some would say that what if the barangay official is remiss of his duties and
fesponsbilities? Many observers howl that 5 years is too long to wait before he can be
changed or removed. No, because the Local Govemment Code expressly provides for a
mechanism of Recall for his removal and the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act does not
allow sacred cows.

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is not included here in view of our HB 2534
seeking for its abojition. The proposed measure is now gaining ground in Congress as
the League of Provinces of the Philippines through its Resolution No. 2010-005 urges
Congress to abolish the SK.

immediate approval of this bill is eamestly sought

ATTY. MAGTANGGOLT. GUNIGUNDO |


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

FIFFEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO, _ 4992

AN ACT
CHANGING THE TERM OF OFFICE OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS FROM
THREE (3) TO FIVE (5) YEARS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE
REPUBLIC ACT 9340 AND REPUBLIC ACT 9164, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

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

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as “Barangay Officials Term
Extension Act of 2011”.

Section 2. Section 1 of Republic Act 9340 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 1. Date of Election. - There shall be a xxx barangay xxx elections
which shall be held on the fast Monday of October 2010 and EVERY FIVE (5)
YEARS THEREAFTER.”

Section 3. Section 2 of Republic Act 9340 is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 2. Assumption of Office. - The term of office of the barangay 0x
officials elected under this Act shall commence at noon of November 30 next
following their election.”

Section 4. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act
shall be taken from the appropriation of the Commission on Elections under the General
Appropriations Act and/or supplementary appropriations therefater.

Section 5. implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Commission on Elections and
the Department of Interior and Local Goverment shall promulgate such rules and
regulations necessary within sixty (60) days after its effectivity to implement this Act.

Section 6. Separability Clause. — lt any of the provisions of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the other provisions shall remain valid.

Section 7. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act’ are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 8. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,