The Philippine Councilors League (PCL; Filipino: Liga ng mga Konsehal ng Pilipinas) is an official organization in the Philippines composed of all elected, appointed, and ex officio membersoflegislative 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).
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.[a][2] Each municipality in the Philippines also has its respective legislature known as a Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) composed of 8 regular members[b] and at least 2 ex officio members.[a][3] All elected, appointed, and ex officio members of those legislative councils automatically become members of the PCL.[4]
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).[5]
Councilors serve three-year terms, renewable twice consecutively.[6] The most recent election was held in 2022, and next is scheduled for 2025.
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.[7]
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.[8] Competing for the top position were councilors Danilo Dayanghirang from Davao City, who was handpicked by President Rodrigo Duterte,[9][10] and Jesciel Richard Salceda from Polangui, Albay.[11]
^Batas Pambansa Blg. 51 (December 22, 1979), "4", An Act Providing for the Elective or Appointive Positions in Various Local Governments and for Other Purposes.
^"PCL Constitution and By-Laws". pcl.bulacan.gov.ph. Philippine Councilors League - Bulacan chapter. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
^"About Philippine Councilors League". pcl.bulacan.gov.ph. Philippine Councilors League - Bulacan chapter. Archived from the original on December 27, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
