Osmeña on leave, appoints 2 acting mayors

By: Nestle L. Semilla July 25,2016 - 10:23 PM

While it is stated under the Section 46 of the Local Government Code (LGC) that once the governor or mayor would take a leave of absence for official business or vacation, the vice governor or vice mayor would automatically assume power as the governor or mayor.

But in the case of the Cebu City government, Mayor Tomas Osmeña designated two acting mayors, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella and City Administrator officer-in-charge Veronica Morelos, as he went on leave.

The mayor left for vacation to Japan last Saturday. Labella and Morelos said they received the memorandum order of Osmeña yesterday morning.

Asked for their comments about the designation to jointly perform the role of acting mayor, Labella said he will just follow the mandate under the Local Government Code.

“My comment is that I’m just exercising pursuant to Section 46 of LGC. As to whether or not it is allowed, just look at section 46,” Labella said.

According to the LGC, the acting governor or mayor could exercise the power and perform the duties and functions of the governor or mayor except the power to appoint, suspend, or dismiss employee.

Stipulated also in the LGC that the local chief executive cannot authorize any local official as acting mayor other than his or her vice.

Labella is with Team Rama and was the running mate of former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama during the last national elections.

He said he will no longer ask for clarification from the Department of Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas (DILG-7) regarding the matter since it is self explanatory.

Pwede siguro. Pero para nako (It could be. But for me) it’s not necessary anymore because there is nothing more to be clarified because the law is very explicit, very categorical,” he said.

DILG-7 Director Rene Bordeus told Cebu Daily News that it should be better for Labella and Morelos to read the memorandum order and study the document before making any comment.

Labella said he and Morelos already talked with each other even before the memorandum order was issued, but they did not discuss about certain matters like who will sign documents.

“I don’t think it is necessary (to ask Morelos). Of course collaborate and consult with the department heads because they belong to executive department. But as I said I’ll just perform the duty with the mandate given to the vice mayor under the LGC. Considering that Ma’am Juvy (Morelos) is one of the department heads, of course she will be part,” he said.

But Morelos said she would likely let Labella sign documents. She said Osmeña did not give her any specific order before he left the country.

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TAGS: Cebu City, Cebu city government, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Interior and Local Government in Central Visayas, DILG, DILG-7, Edgardo Labella, mayor Tomas Osmeña, Osmeña, Tomas Osmeña, Tommy Osmeña, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella

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