TWO JESUSES. Davao City Council’s new majority floor leader, Councilor Jesus Melchor Quitain Jr., and new chairperson on Committee on Ethics and Good government, Jesus Joseph Zozobrado III take oath during the regular session on Tuesday, January 16. (Robby Joy Salveron / davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Two councilors took their oaths on Tuesday, January 16, for their new roles at the city council which were previously vacated due to adjustments when then-vice mayor Paolo Duterte resigned in December last year.
Councilor Jesus Melchor B. Quitain Jr now serves as the city council’s majority floor leader, replacing then-councilor Bernard Al-ag.
The lone nominee for the position, Quitain’s name was proposed by acting majority floor leader Victorio Advincula Jr.
As the new majority floor leader, Quitain will now head of the committee on rules and is not allowed to lead any other committees.
He previously chaired the committee on ethics and good government, to which councilors on Tuesday voted be assigned to Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado III.
Tuesday’s voting was meant to fill in posts left vacant due to the sudden resignation of President Duterte’s eldest son as vice mayor on December 25, 2017.
Then-floor leader Bernard Al-ag formally assumed as vice mayor on January 10.
Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech, Quitain, a councilor for one and a half year now, told his colleagues to “bear with him” since he is new to the position.
“Please bear with me if from time to time ‘Sirs’ I will be asking for your advice,” Quitain said referring to senior lawmakers at the council.
Quitain, a lawyer, is the son of Undersecretary Jesus Melchor V. Quitain, who previously was the city administrator prior to his deployment to the Office of the President. (with reports from Mick Basa / davaotoday.com)
