MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT. Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella posts on his Facebook page pictures of President Rodrigo Duterte raising his hand in Malacañang Palace on Monday, May 6, 2019. The vice mayor asked for postponement of his supposed debate with Mayor Tomas Osmeña due to his 'important meeting' with the Chief Executive. (Screengrab from Facebook)
CEBU CITY – The presiding officer of the Cebu City Council said Tuesday he will face Mayor Tomas Osmeña in a debate on May 10, as he apologized to the incumbent mayor and the public for their face-off’s second postponement.
Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, who is challenging Osmeña for the mayoral post in next week’s election, said the debate, which was originally set last April 22, was supposed to happen on Monday afternoon.
Labella said the debate was called off for the second time due to a “need to attend a meeting” with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
On Monday night, Labella posted on his Facebook page pictures of Duterte raising his hand.
“I’m sorry I had to request the IBP (Integrated Bar of the Philippines) to postpone the debate. This was my very important meeting earlier today, at Malacañang Palace,” he said in his post.
He sought to move the debate on May 10.
IBP-Cebu president Regal Oliva said on social media that while he only saw Labella’s May 5 letter posted on his official Facebook page, the mayor already agreed to have the debate scheduled on Friday.
“We were however informed that Mayor Tomas Osmeña has agreed that the debates be moved to May 10, 2019,” his post read.
“IBP Cebu City has taken pains to ensure the success of what is one of the first in the history of Cebu City Elections. We have been meeting with both parties or their representatives since April 17 to discuss the postponement to May 6, guidelines, parameters and concerns of both parties,” Oliva said in the post. “This is to ensure the transparency, consistency and integrity of the activity.”
“Consistent with the objectives of IBP Cebu City in organizing this debate, we would like to officially announce that the IBP Debates is moved to May 10, 2019,” his post also read. The time was set at 1 p.m.
Oliva asked for the public’s understanding on the debate's second postponement. (PNA)
