BACOLOD City Councilor Ricardo Tan took a leave from work following the ambush incident.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, majority floor leader and chairperson of the City Council committee on laws, said Tan filed his sick leave to City Council Secretary Vicente Petierre III.
Tan missed the regular session on Wednesday, December 19.
"We expected him not to be present because maybe he is still recuperating or undergoing counseling or a matter of security for his own safety," Distrito said.
On December 14, Tan and his wife Nita came from Campuestohan Highland Resort, which they owned, in Talisay City when they were waylaid by three assailants who were on board a white wagon type vehicle in Barangay Alangilan.
The assailants released rapid gunfire to the official's vehicle and left 22 bullet holes at the front part of the vehicle and another 13 at the rear.
Both victims managed to survive the rapid fire and were able to drive to Police Station 5 in Barangay Granada where the city official asked for police assistance on their way to the hospital in Bacolod City.
Distrito said Tan needs to rest because he is also entitled of leave credits.
"All of us are entitled to leave credits and if ever we already consumed it, we can file a leave but without pay," he said.