DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte tasked Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta as officer-in-charge of the City Mayor's Office (CMO) in his absence from November 6 to November 8.

In a memorandum signed by Duterte on October 31 but released on Wednesday by the CMO, Duterte directed Acosta to perform in his absence since Vice Mayor Sara Duterte is on a vacation leave.

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Acosta will discharge the functions and duties of the CMO and perform the day-to-day operations of the same. However, all other functions, which are inherent, and policy determining shall remain under power of the City Mayor.

The CMO clarified that the absences of the City Mayor and the Vice Mayor have nothing to do with each other.

City Mayor assistant Bong Go said Thursday Duterte would take a vacation leave for a medical check-up.

Meanwhile, the Vice Mayor has been on vacation leave since October 28 until November 18, Go said in a phone interview.

Go said a designation for the position of Acting Vice Mayor will be released in 3 days time.

Councilor Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz will be given the position, as she is next among the councilor that gathered the most votes during the election, Go said.

City Administrator Wendel Avisado said Acosta's appointment should not be tainted other than compliance of the law.

"There shouldn't be any confusion on the designation. By succession siya ang susunod talaga. Walang problema doon," Avisado said.

"This was decided in accordance with the Comelec. There is a provision kasi na in certain cases when the Mayor will not be able to perform his duties ang Vice Mayor and papalit sa kanya. But in this case the Vice Mayor is also not available so the Councilor with the most votes will take over in succession," Go said.

Avisado said Acosta would receive the full support of the executive body in her performance.

"She is backed up by the department heads naman. She also has the capacity to be the OIC Mayor. She's been in governance for the past 8 years, sometimes in acting capacity so she's fully assured. The support given to her will be in accordance rin naman to the instruction of the Mayor," Avisado said. (JCZ)