THE National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) officially declared the position of Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) vacant.
NCIP-Davao regional director Geroncio Aguio told SunStar Davao in a phone interview on Wednesday, July 10, that the office already issued the Certificate of Termination to Bai Halila Sudagar last Monday, July 8, voiding her hold-over status as City Council IPMR.
Aguio said Sudagar has until July 30 to vacate her post, after the NCIP had already issued the Certificate of Affirmation (COA) from the central office. This allows newly-elected IPMR Datu Demetrio Bolo of the Bagobo Klata/Guiangan tribe to succeed the position.
He said Bolo is expected to assume his post sometime in August.
Sudagar's status has been the discussion subject on Tuesday, July 9, during the regular session at the Sangguniang Panlungsod, wherein some councilors questioned her name still being included in the roll call.
Councilor Diosdado Mahipus, Jr. said the former IPMR should have vacated the position when she ran as second district councilor during the 2019 midterm elections, but lost. The Council also raised concerns on the pending case of disqualified IPMR Cherrie Ann Codilla filed before the court.
Aguio, however, said Codilla's petition has no bearing on Bolo's assumption into office because the court did not file any stoppage order on the re-selection process conducted last May.
Meanwhile, he said his office has already communicated with the City Council regarding the IPMR status.
"Nag-talk na mi sa Council sa status ni Sudagar. Kastorya namo ang staff ni Vice Mayor Baste. Dako'g possibility na makalingkod na gyud si Datu (We already talked about Sudagar's status with the staff of Vice Mayor Baste. There's a huge possibility that Datu Bolo will finally occupy the seat)," Aguio said, adding this will also be opened up during the Executive and Legislative Assembly (ELA) on Thursday, July 11.
The Vice Mayor said on Wednesday, during a media briefing at the City Council, that the Council is still awaiting the court's decision regarding the IPMR matter.
NCIP issued Sudagar the hold-over status covering the periods June 30 to November 30, 2018, or until a successor had been selected.
This, after the agency disqualified Codilla after lacking the genealogical requirements set by NCIP. Codilla, until now, contests her disqualification at court.