A Trip to the Sangguniang Panglungsod

Next week, I officially start working as a staff member of incoming Davao City Second District Councilor Louie John Bonguyan. I have been working with him for the past month. But next week, the real work begins. Today was the farewell session of the 14th City Council. It was also the last session of outgoing Vice-Mayor Luis "Louie" C. Bonguyan as the Vice-Mayor and presiding officer. It was a long session full of farewell speeches. Some boring, but mostly interesting enough to be listened to. Incoming Vice-Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and some other incoming city councilors were also present as guests. The Davao-based Himig Singers were also there to provide some entertainment. It was a bittersweet experience for me. It was my first time to witness a council session. It was bitter because it was Vice-Mayor Bonguyan's last session. Vice-Mayor Bonguyan is Daddy to me. Nope, I am not his illegitimate child. I am his wife's niece and he and his wife Ching, my Mommy, were the ones who brought me up. I witnessed first hand how Daddy and the entire familly went through the ups and downs of politics. I know for a fact, despite the criticisms, how dedicated…