Vicente Loot extends vacation leave

MANILA, Philippines — The mayor of Daanbantayan in Cebu is  on vacation leave for another month.

In a letter to Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III dated Dec. 5, Vicente Loot asked for an extension of his vacation leave for another 30 days.

Loot was supposed to report for work today after he went on leave for one month effective Nov. 18.

“Considering the distance and the years... the family has not been together, I found this an opportune time to spend with them while they are still alive,” Loot’s letter to Davide read.

“I have realized that I haven’t celebrated Christmas and New Year with them since I was born,” he added.

Loot went to the United States and Canada to visit his sisters.

In a memorandum dated Dec. 13, Davide said he approved Loot’s request, but noted that the mayor’s travel expenses would be charged to his personal account.

Vice Mayor Gilbert Arabis, who was named acting mayor, said he was informed on the extension of Loot’s vacation leave.

Loot was among several former police officials linked to the illegal drug trade by President Duterte. 

Last August, Loot was reported to have gone into hiding amid threats to his life.

He survived an ambush at the Maya port last May that left his two drivers and the nanny of his grandchild wounded.