Mayor of General Santos

The mayor of General Santos (Filipino: Punong Lungsod ng Heneral Santos) is the head of the local government of General Santos in South Cotabato, Philippines. The mayor's term is three years. The Mayor is the executive head and leads the city's departments in executing city ordinances and operating public services.

Mayor of General Santos
Incumbent
Lorelie G. Pacquiao
since June 30, 2022
AppointerElected via popular vote
Term length3 years, not eligible for re-election immediately after three consecutive terms
Inaugural holderDatu Sharif Zainal Abedin
Formation1939
SuccessionVice Mayor then highest ranking Sangguniang Panlungsod member
DeputyVice Mayor

Ronnel Rivera became the incumbent mayor in 2013.[1]

Functions and duties

The Local Government Code of 1991 outlines the functions and duties of the city mayor as follows:

  • Exercise general supervision and control over all programs, projects, services, and activities of the city government;
  • Enforce all laws and ordinances relative to the governance of the city and in the exercise of the appropriate corporate powers provided for under Section 22 of the Code, implement all approved policies, programs, projects, services and activities of the city;
  • Initiate and maximize the generation of resources and revenues, and apply the same to the implementation of development plans, program objectives and priorities as provided for under Section 18 of the Code, particularly those resources and revenues programmed for agro-industrial development and countryside growth and progress;
  • Ensure the delivery of basic services and the provision of adequate facilities as provided for under Section 17 of the Code;
  • Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

List

NameTerm BeganTerm EndedNotesRef.
*Datu Sharif Zainal Abedin19391943Appointed as Municipal District Mayor of Buayan Municipal District, the former name of General Santos.[1]
1Ireneo L. Santiago19431955Appointed as Mayor of Rajah Buayan District, another former name of General Santos.
2Pedro A. Acharon, Sr.January 1956December 1959Previously served as vice mayor of the 1st Municipal Council of the former Buayan from 1948 to 1951.
3Jorge P. RoyecaJanuary 1959December 1963
4Lucio C. VelayoJanuary 1964December 1967
5Antonio C. AcharonJanuary 3, 1968September 4, 1968Last elected Municipal Mayor prior to cityhood.
Mayor of the City of General Santos
(5)Antonio C. AcharonSeptember 5, 1968March 14, 1986First City Mayor following cityhood.
6Dominador A. LagareMarch 21, 1986March 30, 1987Appointed in an officer in charge (OIC) capacity following the EDSA People Power Revolution.
7Rosalita Nuñez
(Rosalita Tolibas Nuñez)
May 22, 1987December 3, 1987Served in an officer in charge (OIC) capacity, having previously served as OIC vice mayor of the 6th City Council from April 1986 to March 1987.
8J.F. Antonio S. MundaDecember 1987April 1988Served in an officer in charge (OIC) capacity.
9Marcelo Argullana1988Served in an officer in charge (OIC) capacity
(7)Rosalita Nuñez
(Rosalita Tolibas Nuñez)
c. 1988June 30, 1992Elected as City Mayor.
10Adelbert W. Antonino
(Adelbert Welborn Antonino)
July 1, 1992June 30, 1995Previously served as representative of South Cotabato's 1st congressional district from 1987 to 1992.
(7)Rosalita Nuñez
(Rosalita Tolibas Nuñez)
July 1, 1995June 30, 1998
(10)Adelbert W. Antonino
(Adelbert Welborn Antonino)
July 1, 1998June 30, 2001
11Pedro B. Acharon, Jr.
(Pedro Busgano Acharon Jr.)
July 1, 2001June 30, 2010Previously served as vice mayor of the 12th City Council from July 1, 1998 to June 30, 2001.
12Darlene Antonino Custodio
(Darlene Magnolia Ricasa Antonino-Custodio)
July 1, 2010June 30, 2013Previously served as representative of South Cotabato's 1st congressional district from 2001 to 2010.
13Ronnel C. Rivera
(Ronnel Chua Rivera)
July 1, 2013June 30, 2022Previously served as city councilor from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013.
14Lorelie G. Pacquiao
(Lorelie Ocmar Geronimo Pacquiao)
July 1, 2022Incumbent
(Term expires 30 June 2025)

Post-mayoral life

After leaving office, a number of mayors held various public positions and made an effort to remain in the limelight.

  • Rosalita Nuñez currently serves as member of the General Santos City Council since 2013, to expire in 2022.[2]
  • Pedro B. Acharon, Jr. served as representative of South Cotabato's 1st congressional district from 2010 to 2019.

References