Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella (left) and Vice Mayor now Acting Mayor Michael Rama. (File photos)

 

CEBU CITY – The family of Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella on Tuesday asked for prayers for his full recovery from “another episode of pneumonia.”

 

“We, the Labella family, appear in front of you all today to discuss the current health situation of my father, Mayor Edgardo C. Labella. In response to the questions from the media and people on social media, we confirm that Mayor Labella is currently admitted in a private hospital in Cebu City…” said a statement from the family read by the mayor’s son, Eugene, in a press conference.

Labella’s wife, Joy, and son, Jaypee, who is running for councilor in the city’s north district, were also present.

 

Because of his health condition, the family announced that Labella has taken an indefinite medical leave to seriously focus on his recovery.

 

The family stated that their father was diagnosed with prostate cancer 12 years ago but was cleared after an operation and treatment.

 

They said the mayor's health suffered, blaming the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic that affected the city starting in 2020.

 

“He worked non-stop to oversee and make sure that the city is able to efficiently carry out its Covid response and recovery efforts – to the point that his own health took a back seat,” the family's statement said.

 

The mayor was initially admitted for an ear infection in January which later aggravated and led to sepsis and blood infection. “He almost died at that point,” the statement read.

 

Although the mayor was able to recover from the ear infection, he experienced “recurring pneumonia” and was brought to the hospital several times in July then stayed in the hospital for a few weeks and in the intensive care unit for days as the illness took a downturn.

 

The family said the mayor is no longer seeking reelection but in the few remaining months of his term, wishes to see through all the programs and projects he started.

 

While recuperating, Labella assured the Cebuanos that the governance in Cebu City Hall has been handed over to Acting Mayor Michael Rama.

 

In a press briefing, Rama also asked the Cebuanos to pray for the fast recovery of Labella. (PNA)

 

Done. Just finished 10 our fathers and 30 hail marys. 

 

Will sing 5 ave marias after breakfast.