Merle Garcia Casas

As Punong Barangay of Barangay Padre Inocentes Garcia (Pob.), Merle Garcia Casas presides over the Sangguniang Barangay of the barangay in Naval, Biliran, 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).

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 Padre Inocentes Garcia (Pob.) is one of 26 barangays in the municipality of Naval, in the province of Biliran, in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Padre Inocentes Garcia (Pob.) had a population of 4,666 residents — the constituency that Merle serves as Punong Barangay. Biliran is classified as a 4th by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Merle Garcia Casas 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.

As an elected Philippine public official, Merle Garcia Casas is accountable to the residents of Barangay Padre Inocentes Garcia (Pob.) 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.