President Rodrigo Duterte raises the hand of then Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgar Labella during a visit at the Malacañang Palace on May 6, 2019. | file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines –Those who were eager to see Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella dance to the Sinulog beat will have to hold their excitement for now.
This after Labella said he will not push through with his plan to dance with Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia after he was called to be with President Rodrigo Duterte in his visit to Cebu City on Sunday, January 19, 2020.
Labella announced this in a press conference on Friday, January 17, 2020.
Read: Labella to dance with Gwen in Sinulog
The mayor said he will have to “sadly” forego dancing during the Sinulog to ensure that the President’s visit will go smoothly.
“I am sad I cannot dance because I already practiced with the governor,” Labella said. “But I already danced today (January 17, 2019) after the Walk with Mary, so I still danced the Sinulog.”
Read: Labella’s dance with Garcia a way of thanking Capitol for help with Sinulog 2020
He has been informed that he will be greeting the President during his arrival and will be with the country’s top official throughout his stay, giving no time for the mayor to dance with Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.
The President’s visit would also mean that cellular phone signals would also be shut off in the cities Mandaue, Lapu-lapu, and Cebu for safety.
Read: President Duterte to visit Cebu for Sinulog 2020; Signal shutdown being pushed
The mayor previously said that there will be no signal shut off for Sinulog unless the need arises. The coming of the president now means there is a need.
Read: No cellphone signal shutdown for 2020 Sinulog unless needed
Signals would be temporarily turned off this Saturday, January 18, 2020, during the Fluvial Procession, from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the cities of Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Cebu and during the solemn procession from noon to 8 p.m.
There will be no mobile phone signals, too, on Sunday, January 19, 2020, for the Sinulog Grand Parade, from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Labella urged the public to be patient with the added security measure and simply prepare communication alternatives on those days.
This inconvenience, he said, is worth it in the end as the President will join the Sinulog for the first time. /bmjo