Permanent Vacancy in the Office of Punong Barangay.
Section 51
SEC. 51. Permanent Vacancy in the Office of Punong Barangay.— (1) In the event the punong barangay refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies or is removed from office, voluntarily resigns, or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of his office, the member of the sangguniang barangay who obtained the highest number of votes in the election immediately preceding shall assume the office for the unexpired term of the punong barangay. (2) If the sangguniang barangay member concerned likewise refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, dies or is removed from office, voluntarily resigns, or is otherwise permanently incapacitated to discharge the functions of his office, the vacancy shall be filled by the member of the sangguniang barangay who obtained the next highest number of votes in the election immediately preceding. The successor shall assume the office of punong barangay for the unexpired term of the vacant office.