Remulla sees ex-Iloilo mayor political comeback after return to PH

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. NESTOR BURGOS / INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog may have returned to the Philippines to relaunch his political career, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Mabilog, who fled the country in 2017 after then President Rodrigo Duterte linked him to the illegal drug trade in the province, returned on Tuesday and surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation.

READ: Ex-Iloilo mayor on Duterte’s drug list returns to PH 

He is facing complaints for violating Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.

“It’s his decision to make, and he went home to, I think, rejoin the political landscape. Babalik siya [He’ll return],” Remulla said in a press conference on Wednesday when asked for a reaction to Mabilog’s return.

“Well, elections are coming in May; filing of certificates of candidacy is in October – next month. It’s very timely for him to come back and relaunch his political career. Practically, that’s how I look at it,” he also said, adding that Mabilog posted bail for the complaints against him.

READ: NBI visits controversial house of Iloilo Mayor Jed Mabilog 

Mabilog and his family left the country in August 2017 due to fears that he could end up being killed after Duterte tagged him as a narco-politician.

Remulla said he will still have to face his complaints in the Philippines.