Edgardo Labella

Edgardo "Edgar" Colina Labella (Tagalog: [ɛdˈɡaɾdo laˈbɛʎa]; born May 22, 1951) is a Filipino politician and lawyer currently serving as the Mayor of Cebu City since June 2019. Prior to becoming mayor, he served two consecutive terms as Vice Mayor of Cebu City from 2013 to 2019 and was a member of the City Council representing Cebu City's North District from 1998 to 2001 and again from 2004 to 2013.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Colina and the surname or paternal family name is Labella.
The Honorable

Edgardo Labella
Mayor of Cebu City
Assumed office
June 30, 2019
Vice MayorMichael Rama
Preceded byTomas Osmeña
Vice Mayor of Cebu City
In office
June 30, 2013 – June 30, 2019
Preceded byJoy Augustus Young
Succeeded byMichael Rama
Member of the
Cebu City Council
from the 1st district
In office
June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2013
In office
June 30, 1998 – June 30, 2001
Personal details
Born
Edgardo Colina Labella

(1951-05-22) May 22, 1951
Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Political party
Other political
affiliations
Spouse(s)Joycelyn Nicolas Labella
ChildrenEdgardo N. Labella II
Eugene Philippe N. Labella
Alma materUniversity of the Visayas (B.A.)
University of San Carlos (LL.B.)
ProfessionLawyer and Politician
Net worth₱13 million
(as of December 2017)[1]
Signature

Early life and education

Labella, a native of Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, is the son of Eugene Labella (a former Ministry of Public Information regional director in Central Visayas and Visayan movies director) and Esterlina Colina Labella (a former Visayan actress). He completed his elementary education at Mabolo Elementary School in 1963 and secondary education in 1967 at the University of the Visayas, Cebu City where he also earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1971. He then took up Bachelor of Laws in University of San Carlos from 1973 to 1977. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar on April 21, 1978.[2][3]

Early career

Labella started as an associate of Cabahug Law office in 1978 and later became a legal officer of the Complaints and Investigation Office of the Office of the President. He was then promoted to Junior Presidential Staff Officer in the same office while serving as legal consultant of the National Institute of Science of Technology. On March 1980, Labella was designated as legal officer in the Office of the Tanodbayan and was promoted to trial attorney on September 1983. He then became a Special Prosecutor from April 1983 to November 1986. He was appointed as Director of the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas from 1994 to 1998.[3]

Political career

Councilor, 1998–2001 and 2004–2013

Labella started his political career as a councilor for the Cebu City 1st (North) District in the Cebu City Council in 1998. He ran under Bando Osmeña – Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK). He then returned to his old post in 2004 and served until 2013 where he also became the Majority Floor Leader in the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod.[4]

Vice mayor, 2013–2019

On February 28, 2012, Labella, together with two other Cebu City councilors affiliated with BOPK namely Jose Daluz III and Ronald Cuenco declared their support to then Mayor Michael Rama who left BOPK in 2011. He accepted the offer of Rama to be his candidate for vice mayor in the 2013 elections where he defeated the incumbent vice mayor Joy Augustus Young of BOPK by 184 votes.[5][6]

First term (2013–2016)

As presiding officer of the 13th Sangguniang Panlungsod, Labella started with only 4 allied councilors namely Mary Ann de los Santos, David Tumulak, Nendell Hanz Abella and James Anthony Cuenco.[7] Several months after the 2013 barangay elections, Tisa Barangay Captain Phillip Zafra was elected as President of Liga ng mga Barangay-Cebu City Chapter making him an ex-officio member in the Cebu City Council.[8]

Labella assumed as acting Mayor of Cebu City on December 11, 2015 after then Mayor Michael Rama was placed under 60-day preventive suspension from the Office of the President in relation to the 2014 demolition of a concrete island and lamppost project in barangay Labangon, Cebu City.[9][10] Then councilor Nestor Archival meanwhile assumed as acting Vice Mayor of Cebu City.[11]

Labella ran for re-election in the 2016 elections and won a wider margin of 29,864 votes against Archival of BOPK.[12]

On May 17, 2016, he was suspended, together with Rama and 12 councilors, for "grave abuse of authority" in relation to the release of calamity assistance in 2013.[13]

Second term (2016–2019)

Labella's running mate Rama lost to Tomas Osmeña in the 2016 elections. On June 30, 2016, he and his 10 allied councilors took their oath of office before Adlaon Barangay Captain Nieves Narra at Rama Compound.[14] With the new administration's refusal to participate in Mega Cebu project by the Metro Cebu Development and Coordinating Board (MCDCB), Osmeña warned Labella not to represent Cebu City in the said undertaking.[15]

He took his oath as a new member of PDP–Laban on August 26, 2016 together with several politicians.[16]

Mayor, 2019–present

In July 2018, Labella, who does not come from a political family, officially declared his intention to run as Mayor of Cebu City against incumbent Mayor Tomas Osmeña while fellow partymate former Mayor Michael Rama also signified his intention to reclaim his old post.[17][18][19] It was feared that if both Labella and Rama had run for the same elective position, this would have split their group, BARUG Team Rama.[20] On August 30, 2018, Rama officially announced his decision to run for vice mayor and gave way to Labella who was then the incumbent vice mayor. They were later endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte as PDP-Laban's official candidates in Cebu City.[21][22] Labella went on to defeat Osmeña by 18,925 votes in the 2019 elections.[23]

He was elected as the national chairman of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) on July 19, 2019.[24]

After calling Isla dela Victoria, a proposed integrated resorts and casino project of Universal Hotels and Resorts Inc. (UHRI) in Kawit Island, as "disadvantageous" to Cebu City when he was still vice mayor, he reversed his position when UHRI decided to increase its investment in the joint venture project with the city from PHP 18 billion to PHP 25 billion. He has indicated that he will not stop the development since the cases filed to stop it were already dismissed. However, he has not allowed UHRI to reclaim the adjacent shore of the site since it would make the reclaimed area a property of UHRI.[25][26][27]

Similar to what incumbent vice mayor Rama did during his term as Mayor, Labella is occupying the ground floor of the Cebu City Hall annex building as the Mayor's Office saying that "it will be easier for the Cebuanos to see" him. Their predecessor, Tomas Osmeña, previously occupied the 8th floor of the said building.[28][29][30]

He was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as chairman of the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) in Central Visayas last October 28, 2019.[31]

On August 23, 2019, through an executive order, he created the Sinulog Governing Board which aims to oversee the cultural and religious activities for Sinulog, an annual festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City.[32] This prompted vice mayor Rama, who was serving as Chairman of the Sinulog Foundation, Inc. (SFI), to question the creation of the said body as it would threaten the autonomy of SFI.[33] Rama eventually resigned as its Chairman on October 29, 2019.[34]

When the news broke out about the restriction of live video coverage for the Sinulog grand parade and showdown after SFI entered into a ₱800,000-worth agreement granting MyTV exclusive broadcast rights, Labella immediately ordered its cancellation and assured other media groups that there will be no exclusivity to the said event.[35][36][37]

Labella had to also clarify that other food companies were allowed to sell their products along the Sinulog grand parade route after it was reported that SFI entered into another exclusive agreement worth ₱2 million with San Miguel Food Inc. (SMFI).[38][39]

Personal life

Labella is married to Joycelyn Nicolas Labella. They have two children namely Edgardo and Eugene Philippe.[40]

Labella was one of the survivors of the 1998 sinking of the passenger ferry MV Princess of the Orient that sailed from Manila to Cebu during Typhoon Vicki where 150 of the 388 passengers perished. He stayed afloat for 36 hours clad in a life vest until he was found by rescuers.[41][42][43]

He is also a regular runner at the Cebu City Sports Center as a member of the Walk and Talk Club.[44]

Awards
gollark: Oh dear. That does sound quite bad.
gollark: Is there? I wasn't aware of this.
gollark: *they say, over a text-only internet link*
gollark: No, it was a few years ago.
gollark: "Fortunately", the UK has a law which just preemptively bans all psychoactive things.

References
  1. Erram, Morexette Marie (May 2, 2018). "Osmeña richest dad in council". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  2. Clarence Paul Oaminal (May 25, 2015). "Charlene Cayetano Street". The Freeman. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  3. "Hon. Edgardo C. Labella – Career and Education". July 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 11, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  4. "Hon. Edgardo C. Labella – Committees and Chairmanship". July 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 11, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  5. Doris C. Bongcac (February 29, 2012). "Labella confirms joining Mike; Daluz, Cuenco also sign up". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  6. Princess Dawn H. Felicitas (July 23, 2015). "Osmeña, Young withdraw recount petition for 473 contested precincts". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  7. "Rama and the barangay captains". CDN Digital. November 1, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  8. Jose Santino S. Bunachita, Peter L. Romanillos (December 19, 2013). "ABC barangay president adds one more voice in Cebu City Council". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  9. Jose Santino S. Bunachita (December 12, 2015). "RAMA LETS GO". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  10. Jose Santino S. Bunachita (December 15, 2015). "LABELLA FITS IN AS CARETAKER". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  11. Jose Santino S. Bunachita (December 16, 2015). "Archival assumes as acting vice mayor". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  12. "Osmeña is Cebu City's mayor-elect". Rappler. May 10, 2016. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  13. Jose Santino S. Bunachita (May 17, 2016). "Rama takes a break; Labella, others comply with order". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  14. Nestle L. Semilla (June 30, 2016). "Leaner staff, more efficient systems for Cebu City". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  15. "Labella should not represent Cebu City in Mega Cebu: Tom". CDN Digital. July 18, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  16. Carmel Loise Matus, Nestle L. Semilla, Victor Anthony V. Silva (August 27, 2016). "PDP-Laban swears in 300 Cebu politicians". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 15, 2019.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. Rona Joyce T. Fernandez (July 1, 2018). "Labella declares he's running for mayor". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  18. "Labella offers loyalty, integrity". SunStar Cebu. May 11, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  19. "Rama: I will run for mayor in 2019". The Freeman. May 20, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  20. Rosalie O. Abatayo (May 21, 2018). "Rama candidacy seen to split Barug Team Rama coalition". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  21. Morexette Marie B. Erram (August 30, 2018). "It's Official: Rama to run as vice mayor". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  22. "Duterte throws support behind Rama, Garcia". SunStar Cebu. February 25, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  23. "Labella proclaimed Cebu City mayor | PNA". pna.gov.ph. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  24. "City mayors pick Labella as new national chair | PNA". pna.gov.ph. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  25. Delta Dyrecka Letigio (March 21, 2019). "Isla dela Victoria project a hot topic in Cebu City's campaign scene". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  26. Jean Marvette A. Demecillo (September 12, 2019). "Labella changes stance as firm hikes investment: Kawit deal now reaches P25B". The Freeman. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  27. Jean Marvette A. Demecillo (September 12, 2019). "Cebu City grants building permit to Gokongwei's UHRI; P25-B 'Isla dela Victoria' now a go". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  28. Rene U. Borromeo (May 25, 2010). "Rama prefers to hold office at the ground floor". The Freeman. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  29. Nestle L. Semilla (July 21, 2016). "Osmeña's City Hall office blessed". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  30. Delta Dyrecka Letigio (September 29, 2019). "After three months of waiting: Labella to finally occupy new mayor's office on Monday". CDN Digital. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  31. "Labella heads Regional Peace and Order Council". SunStar Cebu. October 30, 2019. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  32. Delta Derycka C. Letigio (August 27, 2019). "Labella signs EO to create Sinulog Governing Board". CDN Digital. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  33. Luel Galarpe (August 28, 2019). "Cebu City vice mayor questions creation of Sinulog Board". Philippine News Agency. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  34. "Rama resigns as SFI chairman". SunStar Cebu. October 30, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  35. Delta Dyrecka Letigio (January 14, 2020). "MyTV gets exclusive rights to air Sinulog 2020". CDN Digital. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  36. Mildred V. Galarpe; Philip A. Cerojano (January 15, 2020). "Live video coverage of Sinulog at grandstand restricted". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  37. Ryan Macasero (January 15, 2020). "Labella defuses Sinulog 2020 exclusive broadcast rights backlash". Rappler. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  38. Delta Derycka C. Letigio (January 17, 2020). "Another exclusive contract: SFI sells right to sell food, drinks at the Sinulog 2020 parade route to San Miguel Foods". CDN Digital. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  39. Mary Ruth R. Malinao (January 18, 2020). "Other food companies can sell during Sinulog: City not part of SFI deals". The Freeman. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  40. "Hon. Edgardo C. Labella – Profile". July 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 12, 2014. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  41. "Labella: Don't give up on passengers". CDN Digital. August 18, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  42. "Cebu mayor pushes for stricter rules on smaller sea transport | PNA". pna.gov.ph. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  43. Elias O. Baquero (August 20, 2013). "Ship sinkings have cost 6,000 lives, millions in losses". SunStar Cebu. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  44. "Limpag: Ateneo's Ignatius Run: Forever 25". SunStar Cebu. July 2, 2019. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
  45. "Hon. Edgardo C. Labella". www.cebucity.gov.ph. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by
Michael Rama		 Vice Mayor of Cebu City
2013–2019		 Succeeded by
Michael Rama
Preceded by
Tomas Osmeña		 Mayor of Cebu City
2019		 Incumbent
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