Republic of the Philippines

Municipality of Sugpon

Province of Ilocos Sur

The Sangguniang Bayan is the local legislative branch of the municipal governments in the Philippines. It is responsible for passing ordinances and resolutions for the administration of a municipality. Its powers are defined by the Local Government Code, passed by Congress in 1991.

The Sangguniang Bayan is a form of the mayor–council government, via the “strong mayor” variant. The municipal vice mayor is the ex officio presiding officer of the Sangguniang Bayan, although he has no voting privilege except in cases to break a deadlock. In the absence of the vice mayor, a temporary presiding officer is elected by the Sangguniang Bayan councilors present at the session.