Labella may extend medical leave

CEBU, Philippines —   Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella might extend his medical leave again, said City Administrator Floro Casas, Jr.

“There is a possibility that the mayor’s medical leave would be extended again for him to fully recover. The family wants the mayor 100 percent okay before he returns to work,” said Casas.

Casas said Labella is currently confined in a hospital as he is undergoing treatment for pneumonia.

But Casas said the mayor’s condition is “already improving.”

“Mayor Labella is slowly recovering. But his doctor advised him to stay in the hospital a little longer. He is improving and he will be out soon,” he said.

To recall, Labella went on his fourth medical leave for the year last July 14-16, 2021 due to a “persistent cough.”

His leave was extended from July 19-25, paving the way for Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Councilor Donaldo Hontiveros to remain as acting mayor and acting vice mayor, respectively.

Rama said he was informed already of the possibility that his acting mayorship will be extended as he had a talk with Casas yesterday morning at his residence.

“I was intimated by Jun (Floro) Casas, the city administrator, that the possibility is towards that,” he said.

Rama said his last communication with Labella was through a text message last June.

When asked for additional details regarding the mayor’s current condition, Rama refused to comment further.

Back in January, Labella took a three-day medical leave due to ear infection and subsequently proceeded to a work from home arrangement for over a month. He returned to City Hall in March.

On May 31, Labella took another three-day medical leave after he was admitted to a hospital due to “slight pneumonia”.

Last June 9, Labella filed a three-week medical leave to focus on his recovery as he revealed that apart from an ear infection, he also had sepsis or blood infection. —KQD (FREEMAN)