Celso Lagasca Valencia

Celso Lagasca Valencia is the Punong Barangay currently leading Barangay Sampaloc, part of the municipality of Gainza in Camarines Sur, 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 Sampaloc is one of 8 barangays in the municipality of Gainza, in the province of Camarines Sur, in the Bicol Region region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Sampaloc had a population of 2,252 residents — the constituency that Celso serves as Punong Barangay. Camarines Sur is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Celso Lagasca Valencia 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 Celso Lagasca Valencia 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.