DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Resigned Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo “Pulomh” Dutetre wished his successor and party mate third district Councilor Bernard Al-ag “Good luck” in a text message.
Al-ag formally took his oath as the new Davao City Vice Mayor before Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio at the City Hall Wednesday afternoon.
It can be recalled that Duterte asked Al-ag to preside the remaining minutes during the December 25 Special Session to deliver his privilege speech announcing his resignation as the City Vice Mayor.
Al-ag was among those who persuaded Duterte not to push for his resignation “Because I know the people of Davao wants him to be the Vice Mayor, but everything is history now, VM Pulong is still our Vice Mayor even if he resigned already, in our hearts… he is still the Vice Mayor Pulong.”
Duterte and Al-ag have been working closely as the later served as majority floor leader of the City Council during the last four years, they sometimes spent sleepless nights when important things need to be done.
The exchange of messages
Al-ag who admitted he is overwhelmed with the challenge of his new posts told Newsline.ph that an hour before he took his oath he texted Duterte “Thank you for all the good things which you have done for the people of Davao as our Vice Mayor, you will remain my and the vice mayor of the City Councilors, thank you for the trust you gave me as the majority floor leader, thank you so much.”
Councilor Bernard Al-ag stood up when he heard then Vice Mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte announcing his resignation in a privilege speech last December 25, 2017. Screengrabed photo
In response Al-ag said, Duterte wished him “Congrats! Amping pre! Kaya mo yan. (Congrats! take care pre. You can make it!).
With his new posts Al-ag said he lost his friend and a party mate in at the City Council but “I am challenged and overwhelmed with my new tasks but I am sad because Vice Mayor Pulong is no longer there with us but I have to face the new challenge, I will continue the good things that the Vice Mayor has started.”
Duterte, according to Al-ag was instrumental in honing his skills as a legislator “For four years he trusted me as the Majority Floor leader which prepared me to this new role, Pulong and the Duterte’s helped me from the start of my political career and even until now.”
Changes in the City Council
A major reorganization is expected, Al-ag revealed “We have to elect our new majority floor leader and the chairperson for the Committee on Rules, Laws Privileges and Ordinances, these committees I previously handled”.
A caucus is scheduled among members of the council anytime this week.
The weekly media forum of Duterte dubbed as “Pulong Pulong ni Pulong (PPP) will be continued as Al-ag said it is a legacy of Vice Mayor Duterte.
The Al-ag brothers
The Al-ag brothers come from the vote-rich Toril district this city. They recorded not defeat in an elections.
Vice Mayor Al-ag, a physician by profession, started his political career after his elder brother Wigberto finished his three-consecutive term at the City Council undefeated.
His brother Wilmar also finished three consecutive terms as Toril barangay Captain undefeated.
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