He 'lost the battle he waged'; Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, 70

CEBU, Philippines —  He had cheated death in the past but Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella succumbed to a lingering illness that his family said was aggravated by the work he had to do in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Labella passed away at 4 a.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021, at Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City where he spent his last 23 days after months of being in and out of the hospital. He was 70.

He was on indefinite leave starting in October and his term as mayor would have ended in 2022.

His son, Jaypee, said the immediate cause of death was septic shock secondary to pneumonia. Jaypee faced the press at City Hall about four hours after his father’s demise – the staff at his father’s office could not help but be emotional with the announcement.

“Mayor Labella, who served the city untiringly at the height of the pandemic until conditions improved, lost the battle he waged. He had initially been managing his illness well when lockdowns compromised his situation,” Jaypee said.

The Labella family expressed gratitude to Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital and to Perpetual Succour Hospital.

They said he was in great shape when he ran for mayor in 2019 but his health suffered tremendously when he worked non-stop to ensure the city carried out its COVID response and recovery efficiently “to the point that his own health took a back seat.”

Cheating Death

Labella, a lawyer, was one of the survivors of the M/V Princess of the Orient that sank off the coast of Batangas due to typhoon Vicki back in 1998.

Two decades later, he battled and prevailed over prostate cancer, something that his family announced only in 2021.

It was also on that year when he started going on medical leave, the first for an ear infection. He would then spend the succeeding months away from City Hall, either in the hospital or working from home while recovering.

In October, City Administrator Floro Casas announced Labella would go on indefinite leave upon advise of his doctor for him to recover fully. Shortly after, however, Labella had to be brought back to the hospital owing to another bout with pneumonia and even had to be placed under intensive care.

Even with his condition, his family announced in a press conference in early November that Labella would not be stepping down from office.

Before becoming mayor, Labella was the city's vice mayor from 2013 to 2019 and was a member of the City Council from 1998 to 2001, and again, from 2004 to 2013.

Before he entered politics, he was director of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas from 1994 to 1998.

City hall colleagues

Vice Mayor Michael Rama, himself a former mayor when Labella was still councilor, said he lost a good friend and partner.

“When we went through political and personal adversity in our life, Edgar was always there to console and support myself and my family during those days when we felt that true friends were few and fair-weathered. He never failed to make light moments despite the hard times, by cracking a joke or sharing an anecdote with us,” Rama said in a Facebook post.

“I recall how in the middle of a program in front of Cebu City Hall, he impulsively picked up the mic and delivered a speech defending me after what transpired in 2016. As friends go, Edgar was a true one. He was like family… I could not have asked for a better partner,” he said.

Rama said they may have disagreed over matters of policy in recent years but they made it a point to discuss issues and reconcile their differences.

Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros who is acting mayor while Rama is on leave said he will be reminded always of Labella’s simplicity and persistence to serve the public.

“Bisa’g kapoy, mutrabaho gihapon. Even if he's tired, if there's something to do, he would do it and we experienced it. Kung ikaw batan-on ka nya di ka motrabaho ba, nya makakita ka sa imong leader nga motrabaho bisa’g kapoy, bisag hago, bisag naay sakit… I’ve learned it, I've seen it from Sir Mike, Mayor Labella,” he said.

Councilor Alvin Dizon said that while he and Labella had political differences, he has always respected the mayor.

“Almost a year ago, diha mi differences sa budget hearing last year but I think sometime in January, I sent him a text message nga akong gi-explain niya nganong I was very active in the budget hearing in scrutinizing the budget… Ni-reply man pud siya nga nakasabot siya sa akong papel. Mura’g nawala na to ang among exchange of words. But since then wala na gyud mi magkakita, magkastorya ni Mayor Ed,” he said.

Atty. Mary Rose Lubino, Labella’s chief of staff, described the mayor as being down to earth.

“One of the first lessons he taught me was that your character is revealed kung how you treat people who can do nothing for you. So kung unsa siya morespeto sa kanang mayor, ubang mayor, mao sad ang iyang pagtratar sa mga admin aide I, mga janitor. That's how he was,” she said.

Other Officials

At the Capitol, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said Cebu city “lost one of its beloved and distinguished sons, a dedicated public servant and a respected colleague in government service.”

She said she would remember Labella for his “fiery will to serve and selfless dedication to public service – as Cebu City Councilor, Vice-Mayor, and, finally, as Cebu City Mayor – despite health challenges.”

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma, meanwhile, offered prayers and liturgical services for Labella.

“Ang atong panaghiusa sa panahon sa pagsubo...although sa simbahan, kini panahon gihapon sa paglaum.Kinasing-kasing tang nagpasalamat sa iyang serbisyo...maski delikado na kaayo na… maski siya nagsakit, puno gihapon iyang schedule,” Palma said.

 “Atong pag-ampo nga unta iyang makuha ang reward sa iyang maayong buhat ug atong pasalig na whatever liturgical services nga planuhon sa syudad, we are more than willing to collaborate,” he added.

Malacañang, too, sent its condolences.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, constituents of Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella who died this morning at the age of 70. We pray that perpetual light shines upon mayor Labella and that he may rest in peace,” said presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles.

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino described Labella as “a man of principle who was not only a good friend to me but a partner in governance. He spoke with wisdom and acted with passion. We shared the same vision for Cebu City and that made us even closer.”

Former governor and current Cebu First District Rep. Eduardo Gullas said he considers Labella a "true legend" in Cebu's political circles.

Talisay Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas, for his part, said he could identify with Labella as both of them were first time mayors when they won in 2019 tested by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I knew, through several conversations I had with him, that he wanted to make a lasting legacy as leader of his City. The Covid-19 pandemic truly tested his mettle, to the point that his own health was tested as well,” Gerald said. – Mary Ruth R. Malinao, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Rowena Capistrano, Le Phyllis F. Antojado, JMO (FREEMAN)