BERNARD Al-ag is now officially the new Davao City vice mayor as he took his oath of office Wednesday afternoon, January 10, at the City Mayor’s Office.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio administered the oath, which was witnessed by Al-ag’s wife, Cherry Faye, and their children.
Al-ag said that he is ready to work as he had already sworn in as the vice mayor succeeding the post of then vice mayor Paolo Duterte who manifested his intent to resign last December 25, citing family problems.
“Since it is official, we are ready to work. We will make sure that the City Council will do its mandate,” he said.
He added that as vice mayor he will continue to support the 10-point agenda of Duterte-Carpio.
“We will make sure that her projects will be realized,” he said.
Al-ag added that after the oath-taking she told the mayor that she got his full support in all her programs.
He added that since his succession as vice mayor is already official, he will meet with the staff of then vice mayor Paolo Duterte and discuss where they will be assigned.
He said that with his new post, his position as the floor leader, and committee chairmanship on ordinances, laws, rules and privileges will be vacant but the City Council will decide on who will be appointed to replace him.
He added that as vice mayor he will continue the programs that were started by then vice mayor Paolo Duterte and that there will be no disruption of their work in the city council following the recent developments.
Councilor Al-ag succeeded the position as vice mayor by virtue of Section 44 of R.A. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991). He is the councilor who had garnered the highest number of votes last 2016 election and named successor of the vice mayoral post.
He is an optometrist by profession, and the first vice mayor not coming from the Duterte family after seven years.
Al-ag was born and raised in Toril, Davao City.