DAVAO Mayor Sara Duterte admitted the load of her work have become "heavier" with her appointee Acting City Administrator Zuleika Lopez' decision to take an indefinite leave.
But the city mayor said the city's performance "has not been affected" by Lopez' absence.
"Medyo ningbugat lang ang akong trabaho because instead of delegating magpirma sa mga papers nga ginaroute sa city administrator padulong na siya tanan sa akoa (My work slightly became heavier because of instead of having someone who would sign the papers in behalf of me all of it would have to go to me)" Duterte said in an interview at Central 911 office along Ponciano St. Wednesday.
"Naa man koy mga trabaho nga pwede ihatag nako sa iyaha pero karon ako gyud ang nagapirma sa tanan (Before I had it that those work I can give to Lopez I would give to her but now all the approvals would go to me)," she added.
Lopez asked for the mayor's permission last Saturday but did not specify when she will be back. Duterte on Wednesday said she has not seen Lopez' notice for taking a leave of absence thus she cannot say to what were the reasons Lopez stated.
Duterte, however, said the city's functions continue and have not been affected as she has assigned Assistant City Administrator for Administration Erwin Alparaque to take over the post in an acting capacity.
"Okay lang man si Alparaque. He's been in government service for 22 years I think and he's been performing city administration function dati pa," Duterte said.
Duterte also said she informed Lopez that the latter will still "do her work" as the chairman of the Kadayawan 2010 steering committee.
"I told her that I expect her to still work on the committee on Kadayawan 2010 bisan pa dili mu-function siya (even if she will not function) as acting city administrator," Duterte said.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has also taken a sick leave until September 28 and appointed Councilor Karlo Bello as acting vice mayor.
The mayor is yet to receive information on the vice mayor's condition.
"Wala pa mi nagka-storya but na-inform man pud ko accordingly nga nag-leave siya," the mayor said. (Jade C. Zaldivar)