On Labella’s request, IBP postpones bets’ debate

BECAUSE Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella could not make it, the debate between him and reelectionist Mayor Tomas Osmeña was moved to Friday, May 10.

Officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City chapter, the organizer of the debate, held a board meeting on Sunday, May 5, and decided to accommodate Labella’s request for postponement.

The vice mayor posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, May 4, that he could not attend the debate scheduled on Monday afternoon, May 6.

Lawyer Regal Oliva, IBP Cebu City chapter president, said Labella’s chief of staff called him Saturday night to inform him about the vice mayor’s important meeting in Manila.

“We are giving in to the request of Vice Mayor Edgar Labella. Our concern is that if we push through and proceed with the debate tomorrow, Labella’s supporters would say the IBP is biased for Osmeña,” Oliva told Superbalita Cebu.

Oliva, however, will not chair the debate as he is expected to be busy starting on Wednesday, May 8, preparing the election paraphernalia that will be distributed to 200 polling places in Mandaue City. Oliva is also the city treasurer of Mandaue City.

Lawyer Bernardino Amago, the IBP Cebu City chapter secretary, will chair the debate, but Oliva and his fellow officers will also be present.

Oliva said he called Osmeña and his running mate Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos to inform them about Labella’s request.

Both agreed to hold the debate on May 10, which will be held at the Cebu City Sports Club from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

He is hopeful that Labella and his running mate, former mayor Michael Rama, will participate in the debate.

Oliva said the tickets that were distributed supposedly for the debate today will still be honored on May 10.

He said the board members were divided in deciding whether to postpone or cancel the debate.

“On the side of the IBP, we are disappointed, frustrated because we have made all the necessary preparations, from security, logistics, production side and everything and this has to happen. I hope the reason of the vice mayor is very much valid, because he has to forego this very important event in Cebu City to attend a certain meeting in Manila,” he said.

Oliva said he will visit the debate venue with his team on Monday to personally meet those who didn’t know about the postponement.

The lawyer, who is the son of former Cebu City treasurer Ofelia Olivia, apologized to those who wanted to listen to the debate for the last-minute change of schedule.