DAVAO CITY — A reshuffling within the Davao City Council is expected once Acting Vice Mayor Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II formally assumes office, city lawmakers confirmed, signaling likely adjustments in committee leaderships and council assignments.
Councilor Alberto Ungab, who chairs the Committees on Appointments and Government Reorganization and on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, noted that Duterte’s elevation to acting vice mayor will automatically vacate the committees he currently heads as councilor.
“There will be changes that may occur,” Ungab said during the 25 November Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos session. “When he takes his oath as acting vice mayor, the committees he holds will be vacated.”
He added that the reassignment of chairmanships and memberships will be discussed internally, and that no final decisions have been made.
Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chair of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, said the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod party will choose Duterte’s replacement should his council seat be officially declared vacant.
Acting Vice Mayor Duterte also confirmed that his oath-taking — along with that of Acting City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte — may happen “on or before December.”
Meanwhile, public speculation has quietly focused on Veronica “Kitty” Duterte, daughter of Mayor-elect Rodrigo Duterte, as a possible addition to the city council. Her name has circulated among observers as deliberations about potential successors continue.
Councilor Ungab, however, declined to comment on whether Kitty was being considered for any position linked to the looming reshuffle.
Inside the council, members similarly refused to address the speculation, emphasizing only that the nominee to replace Duterte will come from the Hugpong party — without confirming or denying if Kitty is among the options.
For now, the council remains tight-lipped, leaving the public guessing whether the youngest Duterte might soon take on a more active political role as the reshuffle unfolds.