Mayor Labella’s returnto work surprises Rama

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama said he was surprised to learn that Mayor Edgardo Labella has chosen to report back for work when the latter told him Saturday of an extended leave.

Rama’s designation as acting mayor was only until Friday, Jan. 22, which was also the end of the medical leave of Labella.

Rama served as acting mayor for three days starting Jan. 20 through a memorandum while Labella was on leave due to ear infection.

Last Monday, after three days of being on leave, Labella returned to work but is overseeing the city from home per his doctor’s advice.

“My doctor has advised me to stay at home for a few more days so as to minimize contact with people and make a full recovery from the ear infection. So I have been working from home today, catching up on all the paperwork,” Labella said in a Facebook post Monday afternoon.

Rama admitted that he was shocked with the announcement because he talked with Labella last Saturday and the mayor mentioned about his extended leave.

“But, naabot nalang ko’g hapon, kay pwerting gubota sa akong opisina kay kinsa’y mopirma sa agenda hangtod ako nalang gidesidihan nganong labaron mani nato ang ulo nato, kung wa moabot ang designation, ‘di as I’ve said, bise mayor man ko, wa man ko’y designation, so akong gipirmahan ang agenda,” said Rama.

“That matter has to be told kay magtuo nya ang mga tawo nga ako lang gihapon ang acting pagka Sabado, Domingo. Di man ko ma-acting kay wa man ko’y papeles,” he added.

Rama said he does not want to bother Labella on the matter as he understands that the mayor’s priority is his medical concern.

He said such is the obligation of the officials in the executive department since “that is what is supposed to be” and he does not want to be “misinterpreted.”

Rama, being the vice mayor, is back to his duties as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Health and Committee on Education, and head of the City Council’s COVID-19 Task Force.

Labella, in his official Facebook page, expressed his gratitude to Rama and to his fellow workers in the city government for ensuring that government services were not disrupted while he was away. — JMD (FREEMAN)