Carmelo Obispo Villacete

Carmelo Obispo Villacete is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Maguilling in Piat, Cagayan, 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.

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 Maguilling is one of 18 barangays in the municipality of Piat, in the province of Cagayan, in the Cagayan Valley region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Maguilling had a population of 3,443 residents — the constituency that Carmelo serves as Punong Barangay. Cagayan is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Carmelo Obispo Villacete 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, Carmelo Obispo Villacete is accountable to the residents of Barangay Maguilling 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.