Karen Esquillo Bignayan

As Punong Barangay of Barangay Santa Cruz, Karen Esquillo Bignayan presides over the Sangguniang Barangay of the barangay in City of Koronadal, South Cotabato, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. The Punong Barangay is a nationally recognised local government position under the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160).

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 Santa Cruz is one of 27 barangays in the City of Koronadal, in the province of South Cotabato, in the SOCCSKSARGEN region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Santa Cruz had a population of 18,724 residents — the constituency that Karen serves as Punong Barangay. South Cotabato is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Karen Esquillo Bignayan 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.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Karen Esquillo Bignayan 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.