Labella goes on 'indefinite' leave

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella has extended his sick leave indefinitely starting yesterday, October 8, due to his “on and off pneumonia.”

Labella was supposed to report back to work on Friday but his doctor advised him to extend his leave for another period of time to complete his recovery.

“Upon advice sa iyang doctor, mo-extend ang leave ni mayor for another period of time. So, bale mabutang ni siya nga indefinite ang kining extension sa leave ni Mayor Edgar,” City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr. told members of the media.

This is Labella’s seventh leave for the year.

 “Sa pagkakaron, si Mayor luya pa gyud… He’s recovering but slow kaayo ang recovery and mas madali siguro ang iyang recovery if mo-fully rest gyud siya. Mao ni bitaw nga focus lang sa siya sa iyang recovery karon. Anyway, ang city, naa man si Vice Mayor Mike Rama as acting mayor,” Casas added.

Despite his health condition, Casas said Labella has no plans of resigning.

“Resignation is out of the question gyud na. Mayor Edgar will finish his term. Although from time to time, maka-leave gyud siya kung required sa iyahang lawas,” said Casas.

Asked of the possibility that Labella’s indefinite leave will go beyond 30 days, Casas admitted that “everything’s possible, that’s possible.”

But Casas assured that the city is in good hands with Vice Mayor Michael Rama at the helm. He said he is also reporting to Labella every day to apprise the mayor of the affairs of the city while he is on leave.

“Everyday man ko mo-report ni Mayor but as what I have said, si Acting Mayor Mike Rama man ang nagpadagan sa city karon and the city is in good hands with VM Rama so I think wala ra sa’y problema si Mayor Edgar,” said Casas.

Rama, for his part, assured that City Hall services will remain unhampered even with Labella’s indefinite leave.

“We will have to sit down… We sit down and conduct a strategic planning of action of this indefinite leave of our mayor. And, we must continue public service alive,” said Rama.

Rama also said that there is no need to think about changes at the City Hall now that his acting mayorship is extended.

“I do not have to think about changes because it's not my cup of tea, to rock the boat. My cup of tea is to bring harmony. There is such a thing, we call it unity in harmony and even bringing unity despite diversity,” he said.

“We have to look beyond because there are many facets that we have to really have to attend to. Right now, I don't want to be giving what I call telegraphic answers. Appropriate time will bring appropriate action,” he added.

The City Council requested Labella’s virtual presence during its regular session last Wednesday but the mayor did not show up. It was the second time Labella failed to honor the invitation from the City Council.

For the sake of transparency, ABC President Franklyn Ong also requested the mayor’s presence last August after his series of medical leaves. The City Council is looking into Labella’s health condition following request from self-proclaimed anti-graft crusader Crisologo Saavedra.

Saavedra questioned Labella’s capability to continue to run the affairs of the city due to his “habitual” absences. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol, FPL (FREEMAN)