SILG REMULLA EMPOWERS PCL LEADERSHIP: SWEARS IN NATIONAL AND ISLAND OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR 2026–2028 TERM ​PASAY CITY — DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla administered the oath of office to the newly elected National and Island Officers as well as the Chairpersons of the different t National Committees of the Philippine Councilors League for the term 2026-2028 during the National Congress held at the World Trade Center on March 4-6 which also coincided with the celebration of the 35th year of the League. ​The high-profile ceremony gathered thousands of local legislators nationwide who witnessed the transition of leadership for the 17,000-strong organization. Leading the new slate of officers is re-elected National Chairman Atty. Raul R. Corro of Muntinlupa City and newly-elected National President Benjamin Abalos III of Mandaluyong City who ran unopposed, together with the other National Executive Officers and Island Officers which augurs well for the stronger unity and stability of the league. ​The 2026–2028 PCL National Officers ​The following officers were formally sworn into their respective positions: ​National Chairman : Atty. Raul R. Corro ​National President: Benjamin Abalos III ​National Vice Chairman: Ricardo Pepito, Cebu ​National Executive Vice President: Samuel Huertas, Iligan City ​National Secretary General: Francis Marion Marcos, Mindoro Oriental ​National Treasurer: Jaybee Baquiran, Ilocos Norte ​National Auditor: Jallen Alipio, Pangasinan ​National Public Relations Officer (PRO): Bruno Bouffard III, Negros Oriental ​National Liaison Officer: John Paul C. Pimentel, Surigao del Sur ​In addition to the national officers, Secretary Remulla also administered the oath to the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao island officers, national deputy officers, and the chairpersons of the national standing committees and special creation committees. ​Mindanao Island Officers: ​Island Vice-Chairperson: Myrna L. Dalodo-Ortiz – Davao City ​Island Vice-President: Michael Stephen Pacquiao – General Santos City ​Island Secretary General: Atty. Cairoden P. Pangunotan – Buldon, Maguindanao Del Norte ​Island Treasurer: Ian C. Uy, Iligan City ​Island Auditor: Glenn Omaña – Manukan, Zamboanga Del Norte ​Island Public Relations Officer: Jose Rufino B. Ladao – Sagay, Camiguin ​Visayas Island Officers: ​Island Vice-Chairperson: Em L. Ang – Bacolod City ​Island Vice-President: Jo Jan Paul J. Peñol – Iloilo City ​Island Secretary General: Winston C. Pepito – Cebu City ​Island Treasurer: Chiqui Ruth C. Uy – Palo, Leyte ​Island Auditor: Racel Renz Bamo – San Rafael, Iloilo ​Island Public Relations Officer: Willou Camilotes Tan – Bohol ​Luzon Island Officers: ​Island Vice-Chairperson: Joan Crystal D. Aguas – Angeles City ​Island Vice-President: Michael B. Fernandez – Dagupan City ​Island Secretary General: Kyle Jassel J. Salazar – General Trias City, Cavite ​Island Treasurer: Wencerom Benedict C. Lagumbay – Quezon City ​Island Auditor: Christopher Jake E. Tan – Cuyo, Palawan ​Island Public Relations Officer: Elmer S. Baldemoro – Naga City #pcl35years #PCL #PublicServiceAboveSelf

PCL at 35: National Chairman Atty. Raul Corro Highlights Local "Legislators’ Welfare" as Catalyst for Stronger Public Service ​PASAY CITY – Addressing its over 17,200 members at the 2026 National Congress held at the World Trade Center on March 4-6, Philippine Councilors League (PCL) National Chairman Atty. Raul Corro delivered a landmark "National Chairman’s Report," marking the league’s 35th anniversary with a clear vision: that the professional and personal welfare of local legislators is the primary engine of effective governance. ​Speaking before a packed audience from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Councilor Corro reflected on the league’s journey since its founding in 1990, emphasizing that the PCL’s primordial goal remains the personal care and professional development of its members. ​"We firmly believe that if we take care of the personal benefits and professional growth of our councilors, our public service is all the more strengthened," Atty. Corro stated. "Inspired and motivated legislators serve the people better, “ he added. ​A Legacy of Welfare and Benefits ​Atty. Corro detailed a comprehensive "Two-Fold Welfare Program" that has defined his leadership: ​1. Personal & Social Security: ​Salary & Eligibility: Enforcement of Salary Step Increments (retroactive to 2010) and the Eligibility Law (RA 10156), granting professional civil service eligibility to three-term councilors without taking the civil service examinations. ​GSIS Advocacy: A major push for a law allowing three-termers to complete the minimum 15-year contribution for retirement benefits by giving them an option to pay voluntary contribution to GSIS, with the bill already approved in the Lower House and currently moving toward Senate approval. ​Direct Support: Continued provision of medical, hospitalization, death benefits, and calamity assistance, alongside the affordable use of the PCL Hostel and Research Center and PCL vehicles. ​2. Professional Growth & Innovation: ​Flagship Education: The quarterly Continuing Local Legislative Education Program (CLLEP) and the PCL Legislative Academy, which has produced over 10,000 college, Masteral and doctoral graduates. ​Gawad Galing Lokal na Batas: The launching of the search for model ordinances to recognize excellence in local legislation and their authors and encourage replication across LGUs via the new PCL Portal. ​Digital Transformation and Transparency ​Atty. Corro highlighted the league's shift toward Digital Innovation, a journey started in 2022 to streamline National Assemblies and conventions. To ensure integrity, he announced the pending "Turnover Policy," requiring all outgoing officers to submit formal financial and documentary records to their successors. ​PCL on the Global Stage ​In a historic milestone for international relations, Atty. Corro announced that the PCL now serves as the international headquarters for the Asian Council Forum (ACF), with Corro serving as its President. Plans are currently underway to transition the ACF into the Global Council Forum, expanding its footprint to Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. Additional Programs ​Further expanding the league's reach, the PCL Lawyers Club was created to provide legal aid, and the PCL Economic Enterprise Center was established to spearhead income-generating programs for the organization’s sustainability. ​A Call for Integrity Amidst Crisis ​Addressing the current national climate, Atty. Corro touched upon the "flood control scandal" affecting public trust. He challenged councilors to view this crisis as an opportunity to restore faith in government through local-level integrity. ​"The strength of PCL lies in the support and commitment of every councilor," Corro concluded. "Our local legislators are the frontliners of hope. Come join us in this journey—the best is yet to come!" ​About the PCL ​The Philippine Councilors League (PCL) is the official organization of all city and municipal councilors in the Philippines, dedicated to empowering local legislators through education, advocacy, and welfare programs since 1990. #PublicServiceAboveSelf #PCL35Years #LocalLegislator #LGUs #PCL

The Philippine Councilors League: 35 Years of Legislative Excellence 🇵🇭🏛️ As we celebrate our 35th Founding Anniversary under the theme "35 Taon: Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas," the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) stands as the bedrock of local democracy. Representing over 17,000 city and municipal councilors, the PCL remains the collective voice of local legislative bodies in our national governance. Our Journey: From Vision to Institution 📜 The PCL traces its roots to the late 1980s, born from a national push for decentralization. The idea of a unified federation emerged in 1989 following a landmark assembly in Metro Manila centered on the theme: "Local Autonomy: Key to National Progress and Stability." This collective momentum led to the 1st National Congress on September 7–9, 1990, where our Constitution and By-Laws was ratified. Shortly after, the league gained formal juridical personality through SEC registration on September 17, 1990. The league’s influence was permanently solidified by Republic Act No. 7160 (The Local Government Code of 1991), which formally recognized and institutionalized federations of elective local officials. The Pillars of Leadership 🤝 For three and a half decades, the PCL has been steered by distinguished legislators who have championed the integrity and welfare of their colleagues. Our leadership legacy includes: 1990–1996: Led by the pioneering National Chairman Guillermo Altuna (Quezon City), alongside National Presidents Ponciano Subido (Manila) and Luis Bustamante (Las Piñas). 1996–2011: Guided by leaders such as Froilan Melendrez (Cotabato City), Salvador Pangilinan (Makati), Eufemio Lagumbay (Quezon City), Michael Rama (Cebu City), Atty. Elmer Datuin (Baguio City), Carlo Fortuna (Mandaue City), Michael Fernandez (Dagupan City), and Victor "Jun" Ferrer (Quezon City). 2011–2017: A period marked by the leadership of National Chairmen Atty. Alan Zulueta (Tagum City) and Alma Moreno (Parañaque City), and National President Maybeline Fernandez (Dagupan City). 2017–present: Continued by Danilo Dayanghirang (Davao City), Luis "Chavit" Singson (Ilocos Sur), Jose Nelson Sala (Davao del Sur), Atty. Raul Corro (Muntinlupa), Handy Lao (Laoag City) and Benjie Abalos (Mandaluyong). Empowering Progress through Education ✨ The PCL is more than just a league; it is a center for professional growth. In close partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), we empower your local leaders through the Continuing Local Legislative Education Program (CLLEP). This program ensures that every councilor remains updated on the latest jurisprudence and administrative trends, directly translating to more responsive, ethical, and effective laws for every Filipino. By fostering professional growth and advocating for local autonomy, the PCL ensures that your local government is a vital partner in building a Bagong Pilipinas. #PCL35Years #LocalGovernance #LegislativeExcellence #BagongPilipinas #PublicService

The Philippine Councilors League: 35 Years of Legislative Excellence 🇵🇭🏛️ As we celebrate our 35th Founding Anniversary under the theme "35 Taon: Kabalikat sa Kaunlaran Tungo sa Bagong Pilipinas," the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) stands as the bedrock of local democracy. Representing over 17,000 city and municipal councilors, the PCL remains the collective voice of local legislative bodies in our national governance. Our Journey: From Vision to Institution 📜 The PCL traces its roots to the late 1980s, born from a national push for decentralization. The idea of a unified federation emerged in 1989 following a landmark assembly in Metro Manila centered on the theme: "Local Autonomy: Key to National Progress and Stability." This collective momentum led to the 1st National Congress on September 7–9, 1990, where our Constitution and By-Laws was ratified. Shortly after, the league gained formal juridical personality through SEC registration on September 17, 1990. The league’s influence was permanently solidified by Republic Act No. 7160 (The Local Government Code of 1991), which formally recognized and institutionalized federations of elective local officials. The Pillars of Leadership 🤝 For three and a half decades, the PCL has been steered by distinguished legislators who have championed the integrity and welfare of their colleagues. Our leadership legacy includes: 1990–1996: Led by the pioneering National Chairman Guillermo Altuna (Quezon City), alongside National Presidents Ponciano Subido (Manila) and Luis Bustamante (Las Piñas). 1996–2011: Guided by leaders such as Froilan Melendrez (Cotabato City), Salvador Pangilinan (Makati), Eufemio Lagumbay (Quezon City), Michael Rama (Cebu City), Atty. Elmer Datuin (Baguio City), Carlo Fortuna (Mandaue City), Michael Fernandez (Dagupan City), and Victor "Jun" Ferrer (Quezon City). 2011–2017: A period marked by the leadership of National Chairmen Atty. Alan Zulueta (Tagum City) and Alma Moreno (Parañaque City), and National President Maybeline Fernandez (Dagupan City). 2017–present: Continued by Danilo Dayanghirang (Davao City), Luis "Chavit" Singson (Ilocos Sur), Jose Nelson Sala (Davao del Sur), Atty. Raul Corro (Muntinlupa), Handy Lao (Laoag City) and Benjie Abalos (Mandaluyong). Empowering Progress through Education ✨ The PCL is more than just a league; it is a center for professional growth. In close partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), we empower your local leaders through the Continuing Local Legislative Education Program (CLLEP). This program ensures that every councilor remains updated on the latest jurisprudence and administrative trends, directly translating to more responsive, ethical, and effective laws for every Filipino. By fostering professional growth and advocating for local autonomy, the PCL ensures that your local government is a vital partner in building a Bagong Pilipinas. #PCL35Years #LocalGovernance #LegislativeExcellence #BagongPilipinas #PublicService