Antone Fernandes Lora

Antone Fernandes Lora holds the position of Punong Barangay in Barangay Mercedes, a barangay in the municipality of Pilar, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. As Punong Barangay, Antone leads the elected Sangguniang Barangay and represents the community'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 Mercedes is one of 49 barangays in the municipality of Pilar, in the province of Sorsogon, in the Bicol Region region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Mercedes had a population of 1,035 residents — the constituency that Antone serves as Punong Barangay. Sorsogon is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Antone Fernandes Lora 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.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Antone Fernandes Lora 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.