Riza Ates Fuentebella

Riza Ates Fuentebella holds the position of Punong Barangay in Barangay Paliton, a barangay in the municipality of San Juan, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. As Punong Barangay, Riza 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 Paliton is one of 15 barangays in the municipality of San Juan, in the province of Siquijor, in the Central Visayas region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Paliton had a population of 911 residents — the constituency that Riza serves as Punong Barangay. Siquijor is classified as a 5th by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Barangay officials in the Philippines are elected during the synchronised Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Riza currently holds office under the mandate established by the October 30, 2023 BSKE. The next BSKE, at which this position will again be contested, is scheduled for Monday, November 2, 2026.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Riza Ates Fuentebella 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.