Sanggunian

Sanggunian is the local legislative body of a government unit in the Philippines, commonly translated as council or board. The term, rooted in Tagalog, reflects its function as a deliberative body that enacts local policies and ordinances. It serves as the formal venue for debating issues, passing laws, and overseeing the executive branch at the local level.

Local sanggunian units operate at provincial, city/municipal, and barangay levels. The provincial sanggunian (Sangguniang Panlalawigan) governs a province; the city sanggunian (Sangguniang Panlungsod) or municipal sanggunian (Sangguniang Bayan) governs cities and municipalities; the barangay sanggunian (Sangguniang Barangay) governs the barangay. Members are typically elected for fixed terms, and the presiding officer varies by level: vice governor for provinces; vice mayor for cities and municipalities; punong barangay for barangays. Ex officio members representing sectoral groups or leagues may also participate in some sanggunian bodies.

The primary powers of the sanggunian include enacting ordinances and passing resolutions, approving the annual budget, and determining local revenues as permitted by law. It exercises oversight over the local executive, reviews programs and projects, and helps formulate development plans and policy frameworks for the LGU. Through its committees and plenary sessions, it scrutinizes operations, implements checks and balances, and fosters local governance responsive to constituents.

Legislation and decision-making follow the LGU’s rules of procedure. Enactments typically require a majority vote, and ordinances generally become effective with the local chief executive’s signature; a veto can be issued and may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the sanggunian as provided by law.

See also: Local Government Code of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7160); Sangguniang Kabataan; Sangguniang Barangay.