Mario Faulve Fermato

Mario Faulve Fermato is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Liberty in Norala, South Cotabato, 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 Liberty is one of 14 barangays in the municipality of Norala, in the province of South Cotabato, in the SOCCSKSARGEN region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Liberty had a population of 2,200 residents — the constituency that Mario 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, Mario Faulve Fermato 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, Mario Faulve Fermato is accountable to the residents of Barangay Liberty 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.