A free, orderly, clean, honest, credible election is imperative in a democracy because it is the only peaceful mode for the constituency to express their anger or to validate their satisfaction over elected public officials. The sovereign people act as boss once again on October 30, 2023 in the election of the Chairman, Kagawad and SK of 42,027 barangays. Regrettably, many bosses treat with low regard these positions and would rather spend the day away from the polling precincts.

The Local Government Code has reposed on a Barangay Chairman three functions: executive, legislative and judicial. At the barangay level, he or she is the President, Speaker of Congress and President of the Senate, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The Barangay Chairman is the primary enforcer of laws and ordinances in the barangay. At the same time, he or she is the presiding officer of the Sanggunian Barangay who passes the barangay budget and issues orders and resolutions of the Sanggunian. He or she is also the head of the Lupon Tagapamayapa. No party can file a case in court without a certificate to file action is issued by the Barangay Chairman after three failed attempts at conciliation and mediation.

The Barangay Chairman or the Kagawad gets first crack in helping people with problems with their spouse or children, finding employment, fiesta preparations, getting married, obtaining justice for victims of wrongdoing, etc. It is only when the crisis remains unresolved that councilors, mayors and representatives get involved in addressing the predicament.

Since 2018 when the last barangay and SK elections were held, we have seen the value of barangay officials in OPLAN TOKHANG and the pandemic caused by Covid 19 that lasted for more than 2 years. In the middle of the lockdown, many complaints reverberated about the distribution of AYUDA for the poor, for those who lost their jobs, and those who fell ill with Covid. Although not qualified, followers of Barangay officials were included in the list, bumping out those who certainly deserve help.

Apart from this Ayuda issue, it is also essential to check if the use of public funds has been prudent in delivering swift and effective frontline services in peace and order, health, public works, senior citizens, VAWC and Katarungan Pang-barangay. The presence of ghost employees and questionable projects are signs of corruption that leads to progress in the lives of incumbents that are minions of political dynasties and does not equate to progress of the people in poverty.

The powers and role played by a Barangay Chairman and Kagawads are far from trifling. We have to stop treating these positions with low regard. The position requires brains, psychological and social skills, a conscience and respect for human rights. We have to be diacritical in detecting those who are just puppets of political dynasties out to preserve their hold on power from those who do not have resources to buy votes but truly have the heart of a public servant. If you profess to love your grandchildren, be diagnostical in selecting them. It would be appalling to see those who are paid to serve the people end up with spacious residences and fancy vehicles while the people who elected them remain in the quagmire of impoverishment.

Atty. Magi Gunigundo is a former lawmaker, civil law instructor, and author of law books. He is also an education reformer and an advocate of anticipatory governance.