Rody changes mind; Sudagar may take oath next week

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte has changed his mind and now approves of the appointment of Halila Sudagar of the Kagan tribe as the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) to the City Council
In an interview, Duterte told reporters he had talked to some leaders of the tribe who were not present during the selection process in the past three days and they expressed no objection to Sudagar’s appointment.
“Ako, nausab na ang huna-huna (I have changed my mind) because I have gone into consultations and for them, she is acceptable and good,” the mayor said.
“She (Sudagar) can take her oath probably next week and it will depend to whom she will take her oath,” he said.
Duterte also said Sudagar did not reach out to him to talk about her appointment as IP councilor.
The mayor had earlier expressed his disapproval of Sudagar’s appointment, saying the latter had already had the opportunity to serve in the City Council as youth representative.
He clarified, however, that he did not have anything personally against Sudagar.
Duterte also said he does not want it to appear that members of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod get plum posts in government.
Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte had earlier called on the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) 11 to issue a clear resolution on the status of Sudagar’s assumption to the Council.
The vice mayor said a delay in the resolution of the issue will affect the delivery of service to IP community in the city.