Mabilog uncertain about political comeback

Former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog --INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

ILOILO CITY—After returning to his hometown on Friday after seven years of self-imposed exile in the United States, speculations began to spread that former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog would make a political comeback in the May 2025 midterm elections.

But Mabilog was keeping his cards close to his chest.

“Sa politika sa subong, pahuway lang ko anay. Ang Ginoo lang makabalo kon magdalagan pa ko or indi na. (I will take a break from politics for now. Only God knows if I will run again or not),” he said in an interview on Friday.

Mabilog was granted political asylum in the United States after he fled the Philippines in fear of his safety after he was linked to the illegal drugs trade by former President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Mabilog, he learned not to make plans anymore and to instead leave his fate in the hands of God.

The obstacles

However, Mabilog’s road to another mayoral run is riddled with legal challenges.

In 2018, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Mabilog’s dismissal from service after he was found guilty of serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct detrimental to public service due to his alleged involvement in an anomalous towing services deal with a private company he allegedly owned in 2015.

The antigraft office said the city government entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with 3L Towing Services for clamping and towing of illegally parked vehicles in Iloilo City.

Under the MOA, 70 percent of the fines collected would be given to the towing company and 30 percent to the city government.

Investigation conducted by the Ombudsman showed that Mabilog owned 3L Towing Services.

Under Section 40 (b) of the Local Government Code, those removed from office as a result of an administrative case are disqualified from holding public office.

Under Section 19, Article 7 of the Constitution, however, the former mayor could seek reprieve or pardon from the President that could allow for a political comeback before the filing of certificates of candidacy in October this year.