The aborted plan of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to have himself sworn in by a barangay chairman has prompted a lawmaker to file a bill that would remove legal issues on this act.

In filing House Bill No. 140, Rep. Salvio Fortuno (NP, Camarines Sur) sought to empower the punong barangay to administer oath to any public official, including the President of the Philippines.

It will be recalled that shortly after his victory in the presidential race became imminent, Aquino declared he would like to be sworn in by a punong barangay in his home province in Tarlac rather than the chief justice as dictated by tradition.

Fortuno said Aquino’s pronouncement generated euphoria among barangay officials, many of them gushing at the honor that one of their colleagues could be accorded the privilege of swearing in a president.

However, Aquino dropped his plan when legal luminaries issued an opinion that the punong barangay has no express power to administer oath except “in cases related to the implementation of the Katarungang Pambarangay.”

Thus, the role of Punong Barangay Eugenio Perez of Sinait, Tarlac City was relegated to that of a Bible bearer.

Aquino was sworn in as the country’s 15th president by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

“The great enthusiasm felt by punong barangays at that time had practically been doused with cold water,” said Fortuno.

HB 140 provides the legal authority for a barangay chairman to administer the oath of office of all government officials, including the president