Samson Paulino Atani

Samson Paulino Atani is the current Punong Barangay of Barangay Pasilnahut in Sibuco, Zamboanga 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.

The Punong Barangay is the chief executive of the barangay, the smallest and most local unit of government in the Philippines. Duties under Section 389 of RA 7160 include enforcing barangay ordinances, organising and leading an emergency response team, calling and presiding over sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay, maintaining public order through the Lupong Tagapamayapa (peace council), and supervising the delivery of basic services to residents.

Barangay Pasilnahut is one of 28 barangays in the municipality of Sibuco, in the province of Zamboanga Del Norte, in the Zamboanga Peninsula region of the Philippines. According to the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, Barangay Pasilnahut had a population of 787 residents — the constituency that Samson serves as Punong Barangay. Zamboanga Del Norte is classified as a 1st by the Bureau of Local Government Finance.

Elected through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, Samson Paulino Atani 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.

The Sangguniang Barangay — which Samson Paulino Atani 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.