EdLab now 80% recovered from stroke, says son

CEBU City Mayor Edgardo Labella is now 80 percent recovered after he suffered a mild stroke a few months ago.

Labella’s namesake eldest son, Edgardo II or Jaypee, confirmed the mayor’s state of health when he was confronted by reporters about it.

Jaypee also clarified that the mild stroke that hit his father occurred in June, when the mayor contracted sepsis.

“The mayor is getting a lot better now but still recovering at a better rate and is still in therapy,” the younger Labella said.

Mayor Labella will still need to undergo rehabilitation and will have to continue working from home for a while, Jaypee said.

Jaypee said that while he was chosen by Vice Mayor Michael Rama as part of his official slate for 2022, he has set aside politics for now to take care of his father.

Rama, in a separate interview, said he is “always ready” to take over Labella’s functions to allow the mayor more time to rest.

Rama has served as an acting mayor for five times this year.

Labella first took a medical leave in January after he got an ear infection; last May 31, he took a three-day leave after he was hospitalized for “slight pneumonia”; last June 9, he took a three-week leave to fully recover from sepsis; last July 14, he took a three-day leave due to persistent cough, and the fifth one was the extended leave from July 14 until his return on Aug. 19.

The mayor’s recent leave was a five-day personal leave last Sept. 2 to Sept. 7.

Under the law, if Rama serves as acting mayor, the councilor who got the highest vote, in such case is Donaldo Hontiveros, will also proceed as acting vice mayor.

Rama said he leaves it to the mayor and his family on how they will handle the matter concerning the mayor’s health. (JJL, PAC / JKV)