Ex-Iloilo mayor Mabilog hopes to get justice under Marcos

WARMWELCOME Former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog drops by the Iloilo City Hall on Friday, to a warm welcome by city employees, to visit Mayor Jerry Treñas after returning home for the first time in seven years. —IAN PAUL CORDERO

ILOILO CITY — After seven years of political asylum in the United States of America, former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog returned to this city on Friday, optimistic he will be given justice under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Coming home was the “best birthday gift” ever for him, said Mabilog.

“Thanks be to God. This is a huge birthday gift for me and my family,” said Mabilog, who turned 59 on Friday.

Mabilog said he was in the US when his name was brought up as a possible resource person in the House of Representatives quad committee hearing on Philippine offshore gaming operations (Pogo), illegal drugs and the extrajudicial killings.

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At first, he said he was hesitant and asked if it would be possible for him to come home.

But Mabilog said he decided to come home after thorough evaluation, believing in the Marcos administration.

“(I opted to return to the Philippines) seeing the opportunity and knowing that the administration of the Philippine government right now is under the leadership of President Marcos. We have observed that there is fairness in treating everyone. There is no abuse,” he said in a press conference at his home in Barangay Tap-oc, Molo, Iloilo City, on Friday

Mabilog, who appeared before the House quad committee hearing on Thursday, said he also appreciated how the current administration handles the Pogo issue.

“We can see that when it comes to the issue of Pogo, proper investigations are being conducted and everyone is given a chance to speak,” he said.

Longing to return

Mabilog was first elected mayor of Iloilo City in 2010 and went on to win two more terms.

A year after winning his third term, Mabilog was linked to the illegal drugs trade by then President Rodrigo Duterte.

The constant attacks on Mabilog forced the mayor and his family to flee Iloilo and went on self-imposed exile abroad. Despite Duterte’s accusation, no drug case has ever been filed against Mabilog.

The former mayor was set to visit the grave of his mother who died when he was outside the country.

Mabilog said he’s been longing to return to Iloilo City and meet the people he served.