THERE is a possibility that Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama will continue to be acting mayor next week while Mayor Edgardo Labella recovers from pneumonia.
This was what Rama told reporters after his talk with City Administrator Floro Casas Jr. Thursday morning, July 22, 2021.
He also said that he was set to talk to the mayor before the end of the day.
He said his last interaction with Labella was still in June when the mayor replied to his text message while the latter was on a three-week medical leave.
Casas, in a separate interview, confirmed the statement of Rama, adding that Labella’s doctor had advised the mayor to take more rest.
Casas said Labella is undergoing treatment for pneumonia in a private hospital and his condition is “slowly improving.”
“Yes, he’s improving and he will be out soon,” he said.
He said the mayor’s family heeded the doctor’s advice so Labella can fully recover before he is discharged.
“Ganahan man gud sa family (ni mayor) nga inig balik ni mayor 100 percent gyud si mayor ba (The mayor’s family wants him to be 100 percent recovered when he returns to work),” Casas said.
Labella first took a medical leave in January for an ear infection. On May 31, he took a three-day leave after he was hospitalized for a “slight pneumonia.” Last June 9, he took a three-week leave to recover from sepsis.
Last July 14, Labella took a medical leave after he complained of a persistent cough. He then extended his medical leave until July 25 as he was still confined in the hospital. (JJL)