ILOILO CITY — After seven years in exile, former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog made a highly anticipated return to his hometown, coinciding with the celebration of his 59th birthday.
Mabilog was greeted warmly by friends, political allies, and family members upon arriving at the Iloilo International Airport. He went straight to his home and prayed at a church. Shortly thereafter, he paid a courtesy call on incumbent Mayor Jerry Treñas at the City Hall.
The former mayor thanked his fellow Ilonggos for their continued support. He also shared his deep longing for their beloved city. “I missed Iloilo so much, and I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received,” Mabilog said.
During a press conference, Mabilog defended himself against accusations of inaction during his tenure regarding the city’s anti-drug campaign.
He clarified that, upon taking office, he did not receive training from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) related to police enforcement or the anti-drug drive.
His training, he explained, focused more on governance, disaster resilience, and fiscal management.
According to Mabilog, the Local Government Code places the mayor’s role in the anti-drug campaign primarily in policy-setting, while actual enforcement lies with agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
“As mayor, I relied on the PNP and PDEA to enforce the law against illegal drugs,” Mabilog emphasized. He also issued an apology, addressing past misunderstandings about his administration’s approach to the drug problem.
Mabilog clarified he has no immediate plans to return to politics. He emphasized this during his visit to Treñas, stating that his return was primarily to reconnect with friends and allies, including the incumbent mayor, with whom he shared a longstanding political alliance before leaving the country.
Treñas warmly welcomed Mabilog at the City Hall, stating that he never saw the former mayor as a political rival. “Former Mayor Jed is still part of our group,” he said, highlighting their 13-year political alliance.
Treñas also noted that during his term, he continued to work with Mabilog’s former staff, including his nephew, Executive Assistant Sheen Mabilog.
While Mabilog’s return sparked political speculation, both he and Treñas remained mum when asked about future plans or potential endorsements for the upcoming elections.
“Now is not the time for politics,” Treñas said. “What’s important is that Mayor Jed is back, and many people are happy to see him.”
Mabilog also expressed readiness to testify in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Mabilog, who was included in Duterte’s controversial “narco-list,” declared that he is prepared to testify either before the ICC or in the Philippines to share the truth.
Meanwhile, the PNP initiated an investigation into Mabilog’s claims of death threats during Duterte’s administration. PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil stated that the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) will lead the probe and provide security if needed.
In a recent congressional hearing, Mabilog revealed that his life was threatened after Duterte publicly linked him to the drug trade and openly expressed intentions to have him killed.
