Friday, June 22, 2007 Mati mayor on leave again By Ben O. Tesiorna
TWO days after resuming his post as local chief executive, Mati Mayor Francisco Rabat has once again taken a leave of absence and appointed a councilor as acting mayor.
In his memorandum dated June 20, Rabat designated Councilor Allan Andrada as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Mayor effective immediately.
Rabat gave Andrada the authority to assume the duties and functions of his office. He said though that "major policy matters should, however, be held in abeyance" until Rabat returns to office.
"However, matters that would require immediate attention maybe transmitted to me through the fastest means of communication," Rabat said in his memorandum.
The June 20 memorandum came two days after Mayor Rabat assumed office last June 18 in time for the holding of the plebiscite for Mati's cityhood.
It was learned that Mayor Rabat was "forced" to assume office that time because then acting mayor and incumbent Vice Mayor Cesar de Erio was hospitalized and no other elected official could assume the post.
Rabat is still in Metro Manila recuperating from cancer that was diagnosed by the doctors last March.
In a telephone interview, the mayor however assured the public that he is now feeling better and that he just needs about three more weeks to fully recover and hopefully be back in Mati.
Rabat decided not to seek reelection during the May 14 elections and instead endorsed his daughter, Michelle, who eventually won over a formidable opponent in the person of Rosalind Lopez, former governor of Davao Oriental.
