HOMECOMING. Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog (with backpack) arrives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Tuesday (Sept. 10, 2024). His legal counsel, Jeric Jucaban, said Mabilog returned to the country with renewed trust in the current administration’s commitment to due process and fairness. (Screengrab from Jam Baronda page)
ILOILO CITY – Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog returned to the Philippines with a renewed trust in the government’s commitment to uphold due process and fairness, his legal counsel, Jeric Jucaban said Wednesday.
“After careful consideration and assessment of the current judicial system, Mayor Mabilog has decided to come back, trusting in the current administration’s commitment to due process and fairness,” Jucaban said in a statement.
He added that as a manifestation of Mabilog's “respect for the law and his readiness to address the matters that have been pending against him,” he submitted to the legal process and the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation.
The former mayor posted bail for the graft charges filed against him at the Sandiganbayan.
“At this time, Mayor Mabilog will refrain from making any public statements, as he is currently evaluating his legal remedies concerning the cases filed against him during his time abroad. He seeks to navigate these challenges with the utmost care and consideration,” Jucaban said.
Mabilog sought asylum in the United States for fear of his life after he was tagged by former President Rodrigo Duterte as a narco-politician.
He arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Tuesday, where he was met by Iloilo City Lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda and his close friends.
Baronda, in a statement, said Ilonggos welcomed Mabilog’s “courageous and selfless decision to return home and seek justice for his sullen reputation and the tarnished image of Iloilo City.”
“We all know he was never a drug protector. We are all witnesses, our beloved Iloilo City was never the most 'shabulized',” she said.
Political comeback?
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said it is still too early to tell what the return of Mabilog will bring about, but said that the latter’s decision may be related to political plans for next year.
“He may have some fears for his life and we are willing to grant protection of sorts unless of course he can be given witness protection later on if there are cases he wishes to bring forward. But as it is right now, he's one person who just returned at the political landscape,” Remulla said in a press briefing at the Department of Justice in Manila when sought for comment.
“Elections are coming in. Filing of COCs (certificates of candidacy) is next month. It’s very timely for him to come back and relaunch his political career. Practically, that's how I look at it. And of course, lumamig na siguro ang hangin sa paligid niya, kaya kung titingnan natin (the atmosphere around him has somewhat relaxed, and if we look at it) it's his decision to make and he went home to, I think, rejoin the political landscape,” he added.
The DOJ chief, however, said Mabilog must squarely face the charges against him.
“He will have to clear himself from the charges brought up against him at the Sandiganbayan. He posted bail, I was told yesterday. The NBI was there to make sure that he didn’t come home blind and just ride a car and drive off to the sunset. Pero nung sinamahan siya na mag-post ng bail (But when was accompanied to post bail), and we know that he was going to follow the law. Tingnan natin (Let’s see),” Remulla said. (PNA)
