Susana Riego Palmero

Susana Riego Palmero holds the position of Punong Barangay in Barangay Matalaba, a barangay in the municipality of Santa Cruz, serving the 2023 - 2026 term. As Punong Barangay, Susana leads the elected Sangguniang Barangay and represents the community'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 Matalaba is one of 55 barangays in the municipality of Santa Cruz, in the province of Marinduque, in the MIMAROPA Region region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Matalaba had a population of 1,522 residents — the constituency that Susana serves as Punong Barangay. Marinduque is classified as a 4th by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Barangay officials in the Philippines are elected during the synchronised Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Susana 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 Susana Riego Palmero 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.