Merlinda Gealon Años

Merlinda Gealon Años holds the position of Punong Barangay in Barangay Montol, a barangay in the municipality of Bonifacio, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. As Punong Barangay, Merlinda leads the elected Sangguniang Barangay and represents the community's local government unit.

As the head of the smallest tier of Philippine local government, the Punong Barangay is responsible for everything from maintaining peace and order within the barangay to supervising the Barangay Development Plan, enforcing national and local laws within the barangay boundaries, and representing residents in the wider city or municipal government. The position is held for a four-year term under Republic Act No. 12232.

Barangay Montol is one of 28 barangays in the municipality of Bonifacio, in the province of Misamis Occidental, in the Northern Mindanao region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Montol had a population of 753 residents — the constituency that Merlinda serves as Punong Barangay. Misamis Occidental is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Merlinda Gealon Años is serving the current four-year term established under Republic Act No. 12232, which extended the barangay official's term from three years to four. The next BSKE will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026, following COMELEC Resolution No. 11191.

As an elected Philippine public official, Merlinda Gealon Años is accountable to the residents of Barangay Montol and must comply with the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160), the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713), and other national laws. Barangay officials are required to file Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and are subject to the oversight of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Office of the Ombudsman.