Bam: Barangay captain should swear in next President

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Bam Aquino on Monday filed a bill that would allow a barangay captain to administer the oath of the successor of his cousin, President Benigno Aquino III.

Senate Bill 2334 seeks to amend Executive Order (EO) 292 to include barangay captains among officers who have general authority to administer oaths.

"By empowering the Punong Barangay to administer oaths is an affirmation and recognition of its critical role in our society," Aquino said.

"Aside from carrying out government programs and projects in the Barangay level, the Punong Barangay also serves as the leader and a source of legitimacy by its constituents," the senator added.

If passed, barangay captains will join other officials who can administer oath, including the president, vice president, members and secretaries of the Senate and the House of Representatives and members of the judiciary.

Other officials who also have the power to administer oath are department secretaries, governors, vice governors, city mayors, municipal mayors, bureau directors, regional directors, clerks of court; registrars of deeds and other civilian officers in the government whose appointments are vested in the President and are subject to confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.

Other constitutional officers, public attorney's office (PAO) and notaries public are also empowered to administer oath.

After winning the 2010 elections, President Aquino wanted to take his oath before a barangay captain at his home province in Tarlac and not recognize the appointment of then Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Aquino ended up taking his oath of office before Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who was still then an associate justice of the Supreme Court.