Darwin Buenafe Galera

Darwin Buenafe Galera holds the position of Punong Barangay in Barangay Malamsit, a barangay in the municipality of Peñarrubia, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. As Punong Barangay, Darwin leads the elected Sangguniang Barangay and represents the community's local government unit.

The Punong Barangay is the chief executive of the barangay, the smallest and most local unit of government in the Philippines. Duties under Section 389 of RA 7160 include enforcing barangay ordinances, organising and leading an emergency response team, calling and presiding over sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay, maintaining public order through the Lupong Tagapamayapa (peace council), and supervising the delivery of basic services to residents.

Barangay Malamsit is one of 9 barangays in the municipality of Peñarrubia, in the province of Abra, in the CAR region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Malamsit had a population of 675 residents — the constituency that Darwin serves as Punong Barangay. Abra is classified as a 3rd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Darwin Buenafe Galera was elected to office in the most recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), which took place on October 30, 2023. Under Republic Act No. 12232, barangay officials elected in 2023 serve four-year terms, meaning the current mandate runs until 2026. The next BSKE is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026, per COMELEC Resolution No. 11191.

As an elected Philippine public official, Darwin Buenafe Galera is accountable to the residents of Barangay Malamsit 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.