Matias Portugaliza Lepata

Matias Portugaliza Lepata is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Capoocan in City of Calbayog, Samar, Philippines, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. The position — also commonly referred to as Barangay Captain — is the elected head of the barangay'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 Capoocan is one of 157 barangays in the city of City of Calbayog, in the province of Samar, in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Capoocan had a population of 5,191 residents — the constituency that Matias serves as Punong Barangay. Samar is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Barangay officials in the Philippines are elected during the synchronised Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Matias currently holds office under the mandate established by the October 30, 2023 BSKE. The next BSKE, at which this position will again be contested, is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

As an elected Philippine public official, Matias Portugaliza Lepata is accountable to the residents of Barangay Capoocan 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.