Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama | CDN Digital file photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama posed a challenge to Mayor Edgardo Labella over the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the city.
Rama said that the rising cases of COVID-19 are embarrassing for a city that was once praised for conquering the peak of the pandemic.
“Aren’t anyone of you embarrassed at what happened to our city now? I am embarrassed. Why EOC has reached to a point that General Mel Feliciano has to bring the reason why there was a problem in staffing? The number of cases is not reducing. There is something wrong, let’s not be naive,” said Rama in a special session on Friday, February 7, 2021.
Rama said in session the situation needs a more intensive approach, but without the mayor on top of operations at City Hall, the management of the pandemic has not been refined.
Labella has been working from home for almost two weeks now as he recuperates from an ear infection.
Rama temporarily took over the City Hall from January 19 to 22, 2021, when Labella was hospitalized due to this ear infection.
However, Labella has chosen not to take a leave after his hospitalization and opted to work from home.
“I don’t want to take over the job of the mayor, but I am concerned for each and every Cebuano. I do not know where will these days bring us through? We must act, but we are only the Council. Our role is just to approve the budget, make policies. We don’t wish to usurp what belongs to Mayor Edgardo Labella. There’s got to be a solution,” said Rama.
Despite his previous statements that he does not wish to take over the management of the city, Rama said the mayor must decide what’s best for the city.
“Mayor Edgardo Colina Labella, please lend me your ears, I want to be emphatic to you. I am not after your position, but we need to do something. If you think if you cannot be back at City Hall. If you think if your situation cannot bring you body and soul to manage City Hall, please you know what to do,” said Rama.
Councilor Alvin Dizon initially suggested to the council that Rama take over the pandemic response of the city while the mayor recuperates, to take some load off the mayor’s shoulders.
However, the councilor withdrew his request since most councilors thought it was disrespectful for the council to influence the mayor on such a prerogative. /rcg