Cebu mayor Labella, 70

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Edgardo Labella of Cebu City died at 4 a.m. yesterday. He was 70.

Labella’s son Jaypee told a press briefing that his father died from septic shock secondary to pneumonia.

He said the mayor had been hospitalized for 23 days.

“Mayor Labella, who served the city untiringly at the height of the pandemic until conditions improved, lost the battle he waged. He had initially been managing his illness well when lockdowns compromised his situation,” Jaypee said.

Labella had been on indefinite leave since Oct. 8.

He had filed seven leaves of absence this year for health reasons. The mayor was cleared of prostate cancer after surgery in 2009.

Prior to his election as mayor in 2019, Labella served as city vice mayor for two terms and a member of the city council. Before he entered politics, he was director of the Office of the Ombudsman in the Visayas.

Malacañang extended its condolences to Labella’s family, friends, colleagues and constituents.

“We pray that perpetual light shines upon Mayor Labella and that he may rest in peace,” Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles told a press briefing.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Labella’s death is “truly a loss to the Cebuanos and all the people who have had the privilege of knowing him.”

He said Labella “played an important role in the development of the vibrant economy and efficient social services in Cebu City.”

Col. Josefino Ligan, city police chief, said the Philippine flag at the police headquarters should be flown at half-mast in honor of the mayor. – Helen Flores