Citing personal and medical woes: Medellin vice mayor quits post

CEBU, Philippines - Medellin Vice Mayor Michael Miranda yesterday resigned from his post after his one-year official leave expired on June 30, 2011.

Miranda got reelected for second term of office in the May 10, 2010 elections but he never assumed office on July 1, 2010 and instead filed a leave of absence on July 22 of the same year stating personal and medical problems as his reasons.

"This position has brought me so much wisdom and knowledge that brought me up into the person that I am today. I will be bringing all these memories with me as I venture out into the next chapter of my life. Thank you very much for giving me the chance to serve the people of Medellin," said Miranda in his irrevocable resignation letter.

Last Wednesday, Ruth, Miranda’s wife, handed over his letter to Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez, his runningmate during the election under One Cebu Party.

"Our lives are inscribed in the palm of Our Almighty God's name. Wherever He leads us, we have to follow. And so, with a humble and contrite heart, I bid you goodbye and my best wishes always," Miranda’s resignation letter further reads.

Following Miranda’s resignation, first Councilor Juan Alfonso Lim, officially took his oath of office yesterday as vice mayor before Ramirez.

“It was for formality after I served as the vice mayor for almost a year,” Lim said.

As number one councilor, Lim has been acting as vice mayor and presiding the sessions of the Sangguniang Bayan during the absence of Miranda.

Lim told The FREEMAN he did not have a talk with Miranda after he filed his leave. He then knew from hearsays that Miranda will be migrating to either the United States or Canada.

There will be one vacant post in the municipal council but Ramirez said the council will be recommending one or two names to complete the eight councilors and it will be submitted to the Office of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who will appoint one to be councilor.

“Sayang ang term nga kuwang ba but I left the council to decide who to consider,” Ramirez said.

He added that it does not matter if the candidate is not a public official as long as he is responsible and shows eagerness in serving the people.

When he was councilor, Miranda was the president of the Philippine Councilor’s League allowing him to serve as ex-officio member of the Cebu Provincial Board in 2001 to 2004 during the administration of then Governor Pablo Garcia.   - (THE FREEMAN)