DAVAO City’s newly installed Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR), Datu Pagdatua Demetrio B. Bolo, Sr. of the Bagobo-Klata Tribe, took his oath as the new chairperson of the Committee on Indigenous Peoples, Cultural Communities, and Muslim Affairs on April 22, 2025.
Councilor Jesus Joseph P. Zozobrado III, chairperson of the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Laws, and Ordinances, nominated Bolo to replace the former IPMR, Rodolfo Mande, who vacated the position. Bolo swore his oath before Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
“I hereby solemnly swear that I will well and faithfully discharge the best of my ability the duties of my present position and all others that I may hereafter hold under the republic of the Philippines,” Bolo pledged.
Bolo takes over from Mande of the Matigsalug tribe, who served as chairperson from January 2022 to March 2025.
To recall, Bolo was sworn in as IPMR on March 21, 2025, under the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), vowing to work closely with officials to protect ancestral domains.
His appointment follows a rotational system among 11 ethnolinguistic groups, including Ata, Bagobo-Klata, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Obu Manuvu, Matigsalug, and various Moro groups such as Tausug, Sama, Iranun, Maguindanaoan, Maranao, and Kagan.
He will be replacing as chairperson of the committee, Mande of the Matigsalug tribe who served from January 2022 to March 2025.
Bolo’s selection comes after the Bagobo-Klata tribe missed their turn in 2018 due to Cherry Ann Codilla’s disqualification over insufficient genealogical qualifications. Although Bolo was initially chosen, a legal case delayed his appointment, allowing Mande of the Matigsalug tribe to serve in his place from January 2022 to March 2025.
As the new IPMR, Bolo vowed to support Indigenous Peoples, with or without an ordinance. He intends to review existing laws to ensure they include Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for effective implementation. Additionally, he plans to secure funding for uniforms, agongs, and other necessities for tribal leaders, while continuing Mande's initiative of providing free education to IP children. RGP
