Justino Perez Carandang

Justino Perez Carandang is the Punong Barangay currently leading Barangay Punta, part of the City of Calamba in Laguna, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. Under Philippine law, the Punong Barangay is directly elected by the residents of the barangay.

Under the Local Government Code of 1991, the Punong Barangay leads the Sangguniang Barangay, signs ordinances and resolutions, represents the barangay in transactions with other government units, administers the barangay budget and appropriations, and oversees the Lupong Tagapamayapa that handles amicable settlement of disputes at the barangay level. The office is the most directly accountable elected position in the Philippine government.

Barangay Punta is one of 54 barangays in the City of Calamba, in the province of Laguna, in the CALABARZON region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Punta had a population of 7,321 residents — the constituency that Justino serves as Punong Barangay. Laguna is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Justino Perez Carandang was elected to office in the most recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), which took place on October 30, 2023. Under Republic Act No. 12232, barangay officials elected in 2023 serve four-year terms, meaning the current mandate runs until 2026. The next BSKE is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, per COMELEC Resolution No. 11191.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Justino Perez Carandang leads — is the legislative body of a Philippine barangay. It passes barangay ordinances and resolutions, approves the annual barangay budget, and exercises oversight over the barangay's programmes and projects. Its composition includes the Punong Barangay, seven kagawads, the SK Chairperson, a Secretary, and a Treasurer, all accountable directly to residents.