Ruella Tonera Rulete

Ruella Tonera Rulete is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) in San Benito, Surigao Del Norte, 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 Santa Cruz (Pob.) is one of 6 barangays in the municipality of San Benito, in the province of Surigao Del Norte, in the Caraga region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Santa Cruz (Pob.) had a population of 735 residents — the constituency that Ruella serves as Punong Barangay. Surigao Del Norte is classified as a 2nd by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Ruella Tonera Rulete 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, Ruella Tonera Rulete is accountable to the residents of Barangay Santa Cruz (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.