The Philippine Councilors League (PCL; ) is an official organization in the Philippines composed of all elected, appointed, and ex officio members of legislative councils in the cities and municipalities of the country.

The presidents of the PCL's provincial chapters are ex officio members of their province's legislature (Sangguniang Panlalawigan). Overview Each city in the Philippines has a legislature known as a Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) composed of 10 to 36 regular members and at least 2 ex officio members. Each municipality in the Philippines also has its respective legislature known as a Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) composed of 8 regular members and at least 2 ex officio members. All elected, appointed, and ex officio members of those legislative councils automatically become members of the PCL.

The PCL members of a province—i.e. the councilors of a province's component cities and municipalities—elect a president of their provincial chapter who will then serve as an ex officio member of their Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial legislature).

Councilors serve three-year terms, renewable twice consecutively. The most recent election was held in 2025, and the next is scheduled for 2028.

History The idea to form a nationwide organization of councilors emerged in 1989. In July that year, the Metro Manila Councilors League (MMPCL) was formed. They then encouraged councilors outside Metro Manila to form regional and provincial federations. In September 1990, the existing organizations of councilors held the first Philippine Councilors League (PCL) congress in Manila. Guillermo C. Altuna of Quezon City was elected as the first national chairman, while Ponciano D. Subido of Manila was elected the first national president. That same month, the PCL was accredited by the Department of Local Government and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In 1991, the Local Government Code established that each provincial legislature would allocate one seat for the president of the province's PCL chapter.

On February 27, 2020, the outgoing national board declared a failure of elections after the automated election system contracted by the organization to conduct the election of its national officers failed. Competing for the top position were councilors Danilo Dayanghirang from Davao City, who was handpicked by President Rodrigo Duterte, and Jesciel Richard Salceda from Polangui, Albay.

Leadership

National Chairpersons

Image National Chairperson (Lifespan) Constituency Region Party Term of office Ref. Guillermo C. Altuna (died 1996) Quezon City NCR Sep. 1990 Missing data for the terms 1993-1996, 1996-1999, and 1999-2002. Elmer O. Datuin Baguio City CAR 2002 June 30, 2007 Term-limited Michael B. Fernandez (Interim) (born 1973) Dagupan City Region I June 30, 2007 March 30, 2008 Alan D. Zulueta Tagum City, Davao del Norte Region XI March 30, 2008 March 2014 Alma Moreno (born 1959) Parañaque City NCR March 2014 June 30, 2016 Term-limited Elmer O. Datuin (Interim) Baguio City CAR June 30, 2016 March 2017 Danilo C. Dayanghirang Davao City Region XI Local: Hugpong March 2017 June 30, 2022 Lost seat Vandolph Quizon (Interim) (born 1984) Parañaque City NCR June 30, 2022 March 9, 2023 Raul C. Corro Muntinlupa City NCR March 9, 2023 Present

National Presidents

Image National President (Lifespan) Constituency (Region) Party Term of office Ref. Ponciano D. Subido (1937/1938-2012) City of Manila NCR Sep. 1990 Missing data for the terms 1992-1995 and 1995-1998. Michael L. Rama (born 1954) Cebu City, Cebu2nd (South) District Region VII Local: BOPK 1998 June 30, 2001 Elected Vice Mayor Salvador D. Pangilinan Makati City NCR As of Feb. 2002 Missing data for the terms 2002-2005 and 2005-2008. Carlo P. Fortuna Mandaue City, Cebu Region VII June 30, 2007 Elected vice mayor Arecio R. Rendor, Jr. (Interim) Oas, Albay Region V June 30, 2007 March 30, 2008 Ronald P. Carcillar Poro, Cebu Region VII March 30, 2008 March 2011 Alma Moreno (born 1959) Parañaque City NCR March 2011 March 2014 Maybelyn Rose D. Fernandez (born 1982) Dagupan City Region I March 2014 March 2017 Luis "Chavit" C. Singson (born 1941) Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Region I March 2017 June 30, 2019 Elected Mayor Handy T. Lao (born 1980) Laoag City, Ilocos Norte Region I Nacionalista Local: Team Marcos June 23, 2022 (Interim) March 9, 2023 March 9, 2023 June 30, 2025 Lost seat Samuel Huertas (born 1941) Iligan City, Lanao del Norte Region X 2025 present

Notes

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