Osmeña-Labella debate to push through; new date is May 10

Reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña (left) and his opponent in the mayoralty race, Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, will face each other in a debate on May 10, Friday, according to lawyer Regal Oliva, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter. | CDN Digital

CEBU CITY, Philippines — May 10 is the date to block off on every Cebu City voter’s calendar for the long-awaited face-off between incumbent Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.

This was confirmed by lawyer Regal Oliva, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter, to CDN Digital on Sunday, May 5, after Labella’s request to move the debate schedule to May 10, Friday, from May 6, Monday.

“Consistent with the objectives of IBP Cebu City in organizing this debate, We would like to officially announce that the IBP Debates is moved to May 10, 2019,” Oliva said.

The IBP-organized debate was originally slated on April 22 but was moved to May 6 to give way to the observance of the Holy Week.

Every one seemed set on the May 6 schedule until on Saturday, May 4, at 7:45 p.m., when Labella shared a photo of a letter addressed to Oliva requesting that the debate be moved to May 10.

READ: Labella to IBP Cebu City: Move May 6 debate with Osmeña to May 10

Labella said he has a “very important meeting in Manila” that prevents him from attending the debate if it falls on May 6.

In the same post, Labella also said that the earlier postponement of the debate from April 22 to May 6 was made without his consent.

Oliva, however, said IBP has been conducting meetings with the candidates and their representatives since April 17 regarding the event, which included the announcement of the guidelines and the postponement of dates.

The last briefing was held on Friday, May 3.

Oliva said the organization has not received a copy of the letter that Labella posted on social media.

“While we have seen posts in the official page of Vice Mayor Edgar Labella of a letter dated May 5, 2019 addressed to the IBP Cebu City Chapter requesting for the  postponement of the May 6 IBP Debates to May 10, we have not received such letter or any official communication from VM Labella,” Oliva said.

“We were however informed that Mayor Tomas Osmeña has agreed that the debates be moved to May 10, 2019,” Oliva added.

The IBP official said that the debate will still be held at the Cebu City Sports Club at 1 p.m. on May 10 and will make use of the same tickets that were sold for the May 6 schedule.

“We seek for the kind indulgence and understanding of the public because of this postponement. We anticipate the same support and enthusiasm to attend this activity as part of the political and democratic process of the right to suffrage. See you all on May 10, 2019,” Oliva said. / celr