Charles Tarnate Canuto

Serving as Punong Barangay of Barangay Cruz in La Trinidad, Benguet, Charles Tarnate Canuto is currently in the 2023 - 2026 term. The Punong Barangay is the most senior elected official of a Philippine barangay and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of local services.

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 Cruz is one of 16 barangays in the municipality of La Trinidad, in the province of Benguet, in the CAR region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Cruz had a population of 3,401 residents — the constituency that Charles serves as Punong Barangay. Benguet is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Barangay officials in the Philippines are elected during the synchronised Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Charles 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.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Charles Tarnate Canuto 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.