It’s ok if mayor works from home

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday said Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella is allowed to work from home to be safe from COVID-19 as long as he is, indeed, working.

DILG undersecretary for operations Epimaco Densing III, in a virtual press conference, said that the mayor, considering his age, is allowed to do that if only to be safe from the coronavirus.

“Pero ang importante, klaro nga naghatag siya og directives from his home at wala siya nagtago ug wala lang siya nagtulog-tulog lang sa balay (What is important is that he is giving directives from home, that he is not hiding and is not merely sleeping at home),” Densing said.

Densing added that from what he learned, Labella issues pronouncements and directives everyday.

“I think everyday naman meron siyang mga pronouncements, directives, although (they’re) coming from his house where he is residing. Okay lang na basta nagtrabaho lang gihapon (That’s fine, as long as he is still working),” said Densing.

Labella has been working from home since his medical leave for an ear infection.

This prompted Vice Mayor Michael Rama to say that Labella already knew what he should do if he could no longer manage the affairs of the city.

In response, the mayor said he has been “more productive than ever.”

Labella said he is just following the advice of his doctor to stay at home and avoid crowded places as he is immunocompromised. — JMD (FREEMAN)