Labella: Allies to get CH post

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor-elect Edgardo Labella will not abandon his allies who did not make in the midterm elections this year.

In a phone interview, Labella said the losing candidates have to follow the one-year prohibition to be employed in government, though, before their services will be hired.

“If they desire to serve, they will be given the first option to serve but they have to wait for one year because there’s a prohibition,” he told The FREEMAN.

Labella agreed with Vice Mayor-elect Michael Rama not to forget their party mates who were part of their journey.

As this developed, Labella said he is now choosing the officials that he will entrust the different departments and offices at City Hall.

For now, he said he has already chosen an official that will sit as his City Administrator.

“I have made up my mind. My City Administrator would be Atty. Floro Casas, Jr.,” Labella said.

Casas is among his senior partners in E.C. Labella law firm.

Labella said Casas has not only helped him in the campaign but also the latter has the credentials and qualifications fitting for a city administrator whose position should have the full trust and confidence of the mayor.

For the winning bets at the City Council, Labella said he will give them executive functions but he will not call them “deputy mayor” as what was being used by the outgoing administration.

“We will be giving executive functions but not call them as deputy mayor because it is a misnomer. They will be given executive functions in addition to their main functions as legislator,” he said.

For designating deputy mayors and two acting mayors, outgoing Mayor Tomas Osmeña has faced administrative cases before the Office of the President.

Labella agreed with Rama to give executive functions of their allies at the City Council to maximize their term.

Rama said the group’s “council of elders” will discuss this matter.

The “council of elders” of Partido Barug-PDP Laban is composed of experienced politicians including Labella, Rama, outgoing councilors Jose Daluz, Jocelyn Pesquera, and Pastor Alcover, Jr. and incoming Councilors Phillip Zafra and Eduardo Rama, Jr. — GAN (FREEMAN)