Vice Mayor Rama lovey dovey with Mayor Labella
In one very precious moment (and I thank the Lord for the seeming harmony between my two friends in the city hall) on Bonifacio Day last week in the Quest Hotel, I found myself in the middle of two iconic politicians: the good mayor of Cebu City, Atty. Edgar C. Labella, and the incurably poetic vice mayor, Atty. Michael L. Rama. The occasion was the National Conference and Learning Session of the Association of Philippine Voluntary Arbitrators. I was the lecturer but the two bigwigs gave the welcome address and Mike happens to be the national president of that association, with yours truly as executive vice president.
Atty. Mike introduced Mayor Edgar as “lantip, lig-on, ligdong ug lovable.” Lantip because no one can argue against the legal acumen of the mayor, his prolific mastery of human relations and public administration, and his low-key but incise wisdom on human psychology and culture and behavioral patterns of Filipinos, with special stress on Cebuano idiosyncrasies, even as his paternal roots are from Bohol. Lig-on because Mayor Edgar is healthy at his age, with a well-balanced life physically and emotionally, as well as socially. His wife makes sure that he has stamina and endurance.
Vice Mayor Rama also said that Mayor Edgar is ligdong, a man of impeccable integrity, whose character is beyond reproach, a fighter against graft and an advocate of honesty and transparency. Well, no one in Cebu could say that the mayor's name has ever been linked to any shady deal. And then, Atty. Mike said that Edgar is also lovable. Well, the masses love him. The elderly ladies adore him and even the vendors appreciate his efforts in balancing between public interests, and the poor vendors' right to earn livelihood. Edgar is the master of balancing.
The mayor was also profuse in admiring Mike, his high emotional intelligence, his great rapport with all sorts of people, his wisdom in human resources management, labor and industrial relations. As I was listening to the two gentlemen who are both my friends, I was imagining how tremendous would be the benefits for Cebu City and for the people of Cebu if these two good men stay united and would really stick together. I believe that Edgar and Mike have the best combination we can offer to the queen city of the south.
The problem with politics is that it makes monsters out of angels. But if Edgar and Mike can rise above politics, they will be both happier and more successful.
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