Sen. Marcos sponsors measure authorizing the bgy. chief to administer oath of office of Phl president

SENATOR Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. has pushed for a measure giving barangay captains authority to swear in duly-elected Presidents of the Philippines.

Marcos, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, on Wednesday sponsored Senate Bill No. 2693, under Committee Report No. 115, which sought to give authority to Punong Barangays to administer the oath of office of any government officials, including the President of the Republic of the Philippines.

"Our Punong Barangay is one of the true representatives of the people, and at the frontline in delivering quality public service. It is therefore most significant and truly symbolic for Punong Barangays to be given the authority to administer the oath of office of any government official, including the President of the Philippines."

The proposed measure is an amendment to Section 41 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987, as amended by Republic Act No. 6733.

Section 41 listed the officers authorized to administer oath as notaries public, members of the judiciary, clerks of courts, the Secretary of either House of Congress, of departments, bureau of directors, register of deeds, provincial governors and lieutenant-governors (or vice governors), city and municipal mayors, and any other office in the service of the government whose appointment is vested in the President and are subject to the confirmation of the Commission on Appointments; all other constitutional officers; and notaries public.

Under SBN 2693, section 41 is amended to include the Punong Baarangay in the list of identified officers "authorized to administer the oath of office of any government official, including the President of the Philippines."

The bill was authored by Sens. Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero, Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV, and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.