WITH a pen and a copy of the agenda on hand, Cebu City south district councilor-elect Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros eagerly observed the City Council proceedings and what councilors do during the regular session on Tuesday, May 21.

Hontiveros, a basketball star, will begin his first term as councilor on June 30.

Of all the newly elected officials, he is the only one who has no background in politics.

“Based on my observation, it’s totally different from where I came from. Maybe when they first served as councilors they had growing pains. But mine will be birth pains,” he said.

Hontiveros said he is excited to be a local legislator and promised that he would keep learning.

Since he has the highest number of votes in the last elections, Hontiveros will be the presiding pro tempore if the vice mayor becomes acting mayor in the mayor’s absence.

Even before attending the regular session, Hontiveros said he already studied the parliamentary rules and procedure adopted by the Council.

He also watched Youtube videos on the holding of a session.

Aside from his own initiative, Hontiveros said some of his colleagues in the Barug PDP-Laban, including outgoing Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera, have been coaching and advising him on his new responsibilities as a public servant.

After observing the four-hour session yesterday, Hontiveros said he learned how councilors take a stand on matters presented before the legislative body. He also learned the rules of the council.

“I am grateful that my colleagues are really helping me by guiding me, and I am learning,” he said.