The Facebook post alleging Mayor Edgar Labella of Cebu has died. It has since been deleted (Facebook screengrab)
Cebuanos woke up Saturday in shock after a Facebook post went viral claiming Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella was already dead.
The post read: “Breaking: Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella died of prostate cancer.”
Shortly before noon, Labella, who is on leave for health reasons, posted a picture on his Facebook page holding Saturday’s newspaper with a short message debunking his rumored death.
“I would like to inform everyone that I’m alive and doing well,” Labella said in a mix of English and Cebuano.
The debunked post has since been deleted, but many managed to screengrab it which was shared and reposted on numerous social pages and personal accounts.
Multiple sources confirmed that the netizen who made the Facebook post is a radio blocktimer and owns a business.
PressOne.ph sought the netizen for comment, but our messages were left unanswered as of posting.
Labella has been on leave since July 14, 2021, after being admitted to a hospital in the city for a “persistent cough.”
The mayor has been in and out of the hospital since 2020 due to various ailments like ear infection, pneumonia, gallbladder surgery, and recently because of sepsis, a kind of blood infection.
Leading the city in acting capacity is Vice Mayor Michael Rama and basketball superstar-turned politician Councilor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros as acting vice-mayor. Ryan Sorote