Quitain is new majority floor leader

DAVAO City Councilor Melchor "Jay" Quitain Jr. is the new majority floor leader of the 18th Davao City Council.

Nominated by Davao City Councilor Victorio U. Advincula Jr., Quitain Jr, did not face any contender for the position. Majority of the council also voted that he be the new majority floor leader.

Taking the position, Quitain, Jr. is designated as the new committee chair of the committee on laws, laws rules and ordinances which was vacated by newly installed vice mayor Bernard Al-ag.

The majority of the council also voted Davao City Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado as the new chair of ethics and good governance, which

was left by Quitain Jr. since he can only hold one committee chairmanship with his new position.

Zozobrado now holds two committees as he is currently holding the chairmanship of committee on public works. Both took their oath with vice mayor Al-ag as the presiding officer.

Quitain in a brief message after the oath taking said that he is quite surprised with the unanimous vote putting him in his new post.

"My experience will not be at par with the veteran councilors but you can expect that I'll work hard to give justice to this position," he said.

Quitain councilor from Third District, has only been a Councilor for more than one year.

He is the son of Jesus Melchor Quitain, the former City Administrator of Davao City, who was then also an elected City Councilor.

Quitain Sr. now sits as the Undersecretary of the Office of the President. Prior to the votation for new positions yesterday, the current vice mayor Al-ag also paid tribute to the work and dedication to public service of the former Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, and asked the public for prayers for them both since they two are going through a drastic change in their careers.

Al-ag mentioned that the council will not forget what the former vice mayor contributed in the city during his term. He said that succeeding the post of vice mayor is unexpected for him. The council will also continue to support the projects of Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, he added.Al-ag sworn in as the new vice mayor, last January 10, yesterday was his first session as vice mayor.

He succeeded vice mayor Paolo "Pulong" Duterte after the latter announced his resignation last December 25, 2017 in a special session held to approve the calamity fund for the Typhoon Vinta victims.