If Labella runs for mayor, he’ll have my support: Dino

The next elections are more than two years away, but Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino is already ruling out running for mayor of Cebu City or any other elective position. Instead, Dino said he would support Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, should the lawyer and former Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas director seek the city’s highest post. Labella, while thankful for the vote of confidence, said he would prefer a third match-up between Mayor Tomas Osmeña and former mayor Michael Rama, “like a best-of-three series.”

Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Lloyd Dino said has no plans to enter politics. Instead, he promised to support Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella if the latter runs for mayor in the next election.

In a press conference during the 20th annual general assembly of Cebu News Workers Multi-Purpose Cooperative (Newscoop), Dino said he likes Labella because the latter is decent and clean.

“There’s no any single percent in me that wants to run as mayor. Definitely we need new leaders, that is (a) must. It’s not because I don’t want to help Cebu but Vice Mayor Labella is there,” he said.

“Too early”

Labella, a former ombudsman director who is on his second term as vice mayor, also has no corruption issues, Dino said.

Dino said concerns like traffic and mass transport have not been addressed, that’s why there is a need to elect new leaders.

He clarified, though, that he is not singling out anybody.

When sought for comment, Labella said it’s too early to talk about politics but if he had his way, he wants Mayor Tomas Osmeña and former mayor Michael Rama to face each other in 2019.

“Just like in a best of three game series, both of them have one win and one loss each,” he said.

Labella, however, is grateful to Dino for the trust and support.

“I am humbled. I’ll just continue to serve the constituency of the city pursuant to the mandate given to me as vice mayor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and to uphold the principle of check and balances and not as an obstructionist,” he told SunStar Cebu.

Meanwhile, Dino, who was guest speaker at the general assembly, assured Newscoop members of his support.