We all know unarguably that the Presidency is the
strongest political position of the land and we would also securely surmise
that the second strongest national political position is the Vice-Presidency.
Constitutionally speaking, the third strongest Philippine political position is
the Senate Presidency and the fourth strongest political position in the
country is the House Speakership. Yes, that is correct for the Philippine
Constitution provides for it (Hierarchy of Philippine Political Positions), but
to me the strongest political position next to the Presidency is the BARANGAY
CAPTAINCY.
The office of the Barangay Captain is practically the
second strongest Philippine political position because in it the three (3)
branches/powers of government are fused in such a position and they are the
EXECUTIVE, LEGISLATIVE and JUDICIAL branches/powers of government.
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS of the Barangay Captain. As the local chief executive of the Barangay which he heads, he manages the affairs of the Barangay and also help execute the laws of the national government and the local laws enacted by the local legislative bodies including the Barangay Council which he also represents.
LEGISLATIVE FUNCTIONS of the Barangay Captain. The Barangay Captain also functions as the Presiding Officer and member of the Barangay Council, thus he/she has also a legislative function which is to make, alter and repeal Barangay laws in the form of Barangay Council resolutions and ordinances.
JUDICIAL FUNCTIONS of the Barangay Captain. The Barangay Captain has also Judicial powers since under the Katarungang Pambarangay Law which is being incorporated to the Local Government Code of the Philippines, the Barangay Captain acts as the Lupong Tagapamayapa Chairman and as such he/she has conciliation, mediation and arbitration powers.
Because of these elements I believe that the Office of the Barangay Captain is a sui generis (one of each kind Political Office) for in it the three functions/branches of government are being merged. In such office also, three government officials are being combined in one political leader or person and these makes the BARANGAY
CAPTAIN a very powerful political person.
Just imagine the President/Mayors/Governors have ONLY executive powers, the Senators/Congressmen/ Provincial Board Members/City and Municipal Councilors/ Provincial Vice-Governors/City and Municipal Vice Mayors are ONLY enjoying legislative functions and the Justices of the Supreme Court and the magistrates and judges of the lower courts are only enjoying judicial functions BUT these functions are being fused, merged and combined in the Barangay Captaincy? That's how the Office of the Barangay Captain is all about, it is very strong and must not be UNDERESTIMATED by anyone especially by the voting populace. In connection with these I hope and pray that the voting populace would always vote for the right person for this position for it is a very vital political seat for national development and should never ever be UNDERESTIMATED.
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