CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Vice Governor Agnes Magpale suffered from an asthma attack while distributing cash incentives to barangay health workers under the scorching sun in Asturias town.
The distribution had to be done in an open area outside the town hall reportedly because Capitol officials were allegedly denied access to the covered court. The covered court was being used for rehearsals of the town’s contingent to the Sinulog Grand Parade and props have been set up there.
Magpale would later tell reporters they arranged to use the covered court at around 8:30 a.m. but could not do so when they arrived there because the Sinulog contingent was practicing.
They then decided to ask permission to use the air-conditioned conference room at the town hall, which is larger than the covered court, but the room could not accommodate all recipients from 26 barangays so others had to wait outside.
Magpale said she was trying to appease the queue outside when she felt difficulty in breathing. She had to be given a nebulizer and was brought to the house of Vice Mayor Joel Dumdum, an ally in the Liberal Party.
In a separate interview, Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan belied insinuation they did not want the Capitol officials to use the covered court.
He said the dancers were instructed to vacate the court once the Capitol officials would arrive. In fact, he said, chairs and a sound system were put up at the facility since these would also be used for a Holy Mass later that day.
“Nganong di man na nato ipagamit ang covered court nga di man na akoa, sa katawhan man na,” he said.
He believed that the Capitol officials were just playing politics.
Adlawan is a member of One Cebu Party. — (FREEMAN)