CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr. has assured that the resignation of four City Hall department heads, who are seeking elective post in the upcoming elections, has not hampered the services of the city government.
City Legal Office chief Rey Gealon, Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) administrator Yvonne Cania, City Assessor Noel Wenceslao, and Division for the Welfare of Urban Poor (DWUP) head Simeon Romarate tendered their resignation after filing their certificates of candidacy.
Gealon, Wenceslao, and Romarate are running for councilor in Cebu City while Cania is the first nominee of STL Foundation in the Partylist elections.
Casas said the departments left by the four officials are now taken care of by the next ranking officials pending the appointment of the new department head. Acting Mayor Michael Rama is not allowed under the law to make an appointment.
Mayor Edgardo Labella could not also appoint a replacement of those who resigned since he is still on an indefinite leave due to his medical condition. For the time being, the City Legal Office is left with Atty. Lyndon Basan. Roy Miñoza currently takes care of DWUP while Dr. Anton Reposar is the acting CCMC administrator. Liezel Calamba is currently the acting city assessor.
Labella went on indefinite leave starting on October 8 due to alleged pneumonia. Casas said the mayor is still under medication but not in the hospital. He said Labella is recovering at his residence and just enjoying his leave watching movies on Netflix. — Decemay Padilla, FPL (FREEMAN)