CEBU, Philippines — “He is not dying.”
This was the statement of Jaypee Labella, son of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, after rumors circulated Thursday evening that his father had passed away.
In his post on Facebook, Jaypee admitted that the mayor is suffering from pneumonia but his condition is improving.
“The Mayor is recovering from pneumonia and is actually doing better, (he is) improving. We will be releasing a statement when the time is right,” read Jaypee’s post.
City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr. has also belied the rumors circulating that the mayor is in a critical condition.
“Dakong buhi pa man si Mayor. In fact, daghan kaayo nanawag nako gabie (Thursday)-- tawag, text, naa ko sa hospital actually at that time, mga around nine to ten o'clock,” Casas told reporters yesterday.
“I was in the hospital unya okay ra man kaayo si Mayor. Nahibung bitaw ko asa na gikan na’ng storya… Sad lang nga naghimo-himo sila og kanang storya like that,” he added.
Casas reiterated that the mayor is currently confined in a private hospital as he is undergoing treatment for pneumonia, but said his condition is “improving.” He did not elaborate anymore.
When asked when the mayor will be discharged from the hospital, Casas said they have yet to discuss the schedule with the doctors. He also has no idea whether the doctors will allow the mayor to immediately report back to work after his release.
“Wala pa mi makaestorya sa doctors kung after sa iyang discharge, papahuwayon pa ba si mayor or dili ba, or makabalik ba sya dayon sa work,” Casas said.
He urged the public to pray for the mayor’s full recovery instead of spreading false information.
“Instead na magsige sila'g himo-himo og storya, let's pray for Mayor Edgar kay naa siya sa hospital. Let's just pray for him. Anyway, si Mayor has served the city well, so I think he also deserves our respect. Hinaot lang unta nga atong hunungon ang dili maayo nga mga balita-balita,” he said.
Vice Mayor Michael Rama has urged the mayor’s family to speak out regarding his health to avoid people from speculating.
Rama said he would have wanted to visit Labella Thursday night but he was allegedly told that the mayor was not receiving visitors.
“Yesterday (Thursday), I really wanted to visit the Mayor up to midnight but I was told that he is not receiving any visitors,” said Rama.
Labella is currently on extended medical leave until July 29. Casas, however, said it may be extended further. The mayor went on his fourth medical leave for the year last July 14 to 16 due to persistent cough. — FPL (FREEMAN)