DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) post is again vacant as Councilor Halila Sudagar is out in the 19th Council.
Sudagar represented the IPMR in the 18th council after a holdover status issued by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) last August 2018, following the resolution endorsed by the Provincial Officer Cristito Ingay on June 25 and signed by Indigenous People’s/Indigenous Cultural Commission of Davao City.
The hold-over capacity was retroactive covering June 30 to November 30, 2018, or until a successor had been selected, but majority floor leader Councilor Melchor Quitain said it was still subject by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its interpretation of the law. She was allowed to return to her post.
Last 2019 elections, Sugadar filed her candidacy to run as councilor for the 2nd district of Davao City but she only landed in the eleventh position lacking votes to represent the council.
In a phone interview, NCIP-11 Regional Director Geroncio Aguio, told Davao Today that his office has already sent a copy of the Certificate of Termination to the City Vice Mayor last Monday, June 08, 2019 with a copy furnished to Sudagar’s office.
The Certificate of Termination sent to Sudagar voids her as the IPMR of Davao City in the holdover capacity until the process of election is done. Aguio said they have already issued the Certificate of Affirmation to Datu Demetrio Bolo of the Bagobo Klata/Guiangan tribe who will replace Sudagar as the next IPMR.
“We have already sent the Certificate of Termination to Sugadar to inform her that she no longer represents the IPMR in the council and she must immediately vacate her post upon all necessary details to follow,” said Aguio.
Davao Today tried to contact Councilor Sugadar but has not yet received any comment from her. (davaotoday.com)
