Katarungang Pambarangay: Meaning

It is set up by Chapter 7 of the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160), Sections 399 to 422. The Code calls its provisions Sections, not Articles.

• The lupon. Each barangay has a lupong tagapamayapa, or lupon. Section 399 says it is made up of the Punong Barangay as chairman and 10 to 20 members. Members must live or work in the barangay and have integrity, impartiality and a sense of fairness. The Punong Barangay appoints them after posting a public notice.
• The secretary. The barangay secretary also serves as lupon secretary and keeps the records (Section 403).
• The pangkat. For each dispute that is not settled in mediation, a pangkat ng tagapagkasundo is formed. It has three members chosen by the parties from the lupon list, or drawn by lots if they cannot agree (Section 404).

1. The complainant goes to the Punong Barangay, orally or in writing (Section 410(a)).
2. The Punong Barangay summons the other side within the next working day and tries to mediate (Section 410(b)).
3. If that fails within 15 days of the first meeting, the pangkat is formed and tries to bring the parties to an agreement (Section 410(b) to (e)).
4. Any settlement must be in writing, in a language the parties know, and signed (Section 411).
5. If no settlement is reached, the secretary issues a certificate to file action, and only then can the case go to court (Section 412(a)). Section 412(b) lets parties go directly to court in a few cases, such as when the accused is detained or the action is about to prescribe.

Hearings are public and informal, and parties appear without lawyers (Sections 414 and 415). Each step and its period are listed in the barangay conciliation timeline.

The system does not cover everything. Section 408 lists exceptions, such as disputes with the government and offenses punishable by more than one year in prison or a fine over ₱5,000. In Aquino v. Aure (2008), the Supreme Court said the process is "not a jurisdictional requirement": a defendant who does not raise the missing barangay step in the answer is deemed to have waived the objection.

Made-up illustration: Carlo borrowed money from his neighbor Liza in Barangay San Isidro and has not paid it back. Both live in the same barangay. Liza first complains to the Punong Barangay. They meet, and with the help of the pangkat they sign a written payment plan. If Carlo does not follow it, the lupon can enforce the settlement within six months (Section 417).

To check whether your case must start at the barangay, see Do I need to go to the barangay first? For the steps of a hearing, see Barangay hearing process. For other barangay services, see our barangay guides.