IBP Cebu City Chapter President Regal Oliva
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — Two postponements are more than enough.
Lawyer Regal Oliva, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter, said that they will already push with the scheduled debate on May 10 even if only one of the two invited mayoral candidates would show up.
“We will give the stage to any candidate who will be present,” she said.
May 10 was already set as the final date for the much awaited face off between reelectionist Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and mayoral aspirant and incumbent Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella.
Oliva that until the debate officially starts, they “are still crossing their fingers” that Labella and Osmeña would both show up.
Read More: Labella to IBP Cebu City: Move May 6 debate with Osmeña to May 10
The debate between Osmeña, the Bando Osmena Pundok Kausagan (BOPK) standard bearer, and Labella of the Barug PDP-Laban was originally scheduled on April 22 but was moved to May 6 to give way to the solemn observance of the Holy Week.
On Saturday night, May 4, Labella posted on his Facebook page that he won’t be able to make it to the May 6 schedule because of an important commitment in Manila. He asked for a postponement of the debate to May 10.
Read More: Labella tells Osmeña: Sorry, see you on May 10
“We received a forwarded screenshot copy of the letter (from Vice Mayor Labella) but we have not received it officially as of today…But we took official notice on the screenshot since I have also talked with the staff of VM Labella and they confirmed that what was actually posted is accurate and I also took the liberty to call the staff of Mayor Osmeña if they are also willing to accept the challenge of postponement,” Oliva told CDN Digital in an interview on Monday morning, May 6.
Oliva said that having the Cebu City debate on May 10 is crucial because it will be held two days ahead of the midterm polls scheduled on May 13.
“This will be crucial because two days prior to the elections will be the debates. After this, we cannot anymore postpone furthermore because by May 11 it is already the miting de avance and on May 12 we cannot anymore schedule any election activity,” Oliva said.
IBP is expecting around 600 individuals to attend the debate that is scheduled at 1 p.m. at the Cebu City Sports Club./dcb