THE 21st Davao City Council officially elected its new set of committee chairpersons and members of the People’s Law Enforcement Board (Pleb) during its first regular session on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Councilor Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique Advincula was elected floor leader, with Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. as assistant floor leader, and Councilor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. as president pro tempore.
In a media interview, Advincula said she was humbled by the trust of her colleagues: “Never did I expect that I would be assigned this role.”
She also said the appointment was personally meaningful, “Now that I’m floor leader, it feels like a full-circle moment. My grandfather and father both held this position.”
Quitain, a former vice mayor and floor leader, said he supported Advincula for the role.
"Kumbaga andyan na ang dugo. When I was the presiding officer last term, vice mayor ako, when you're presiding, you will see kasi from the above looking down nakita ko nga ito siya masipag ito siya (It's in her blood. When I was vice mayor and presiding over the council, I could see from above—she’s hardworking)," he said.
Among those elected chairpersons to key committees: Bai Hundra Cassandra Dominique Advincula (Rules, Privileges, Laws, and Ordinances), Diosdado Angelo R. Mahipus Jr. (Housing (Socialized Housing Projects, Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, and Oversight Committee), Atty. J. Melchor Quitain Jr. (City-Owned Real Properties), Ralph Abella (Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Food), Atty. Luna Acosta (Anti-Terrorism, Peace and Public Safety), Alberto Ungab (Appointments and Government Reorganization, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management);
January Duterte (Barangay Affairs), Pamela Librado (Civil, Political, and Human Rights, Labor and Employment), Al-Ryan Alejandre (Cooperative Development and People's Participation), Antoinette Principe (Education, Science and Technology, Arts and Culture), Louie John Bonguyan (Energy and Water, Economic Housing Projects under BP 220), Temujin “Tek” Ocampo (Environment and Natural Resources, Special Publications), Nonong Cabling (Ethics and Good Government), Danilo Dayanghirang (Finance, Games and Amusements), Doce Apostol (Franchises and Public Utilities), Rigo (Housing and Subdivision Development PD 957, Future Generations);
Ragde Ibuyan (Government Enterprises and Privatization), Trisha Ann Villafuerte (Health), Jessica Bonguyan (Public Works and Highways), Atty. Rachel Zozobrado
(International Relations), Bonz Militar (Information Technology), Richlyn Justol (Women, Children, and Family Relations), Kristine May John Abdul Mercado (SK Youth and Sports Development),
Jopet Baluran (Transportation and Communications), Datu Demetrio Bolo Sr. (Indigenous Peoples, Cultural Communities, and Muslim Affairs), Maria Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz (Tourism and Beautification, Trade, Commerce, and Industry), and Enzo Villafuerte (Social Services)
Pleb representatives were also elected: first district- Acosta, second district-Councilor Nonong Cabling, and third district-Councilor Rachel Zozobrado.
All officials took their oaths during the same session. RGP