Marcos grants Mabilog clemency

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has granted executive clemency to former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog who was forced to leave the country after being linked to the illegal drug trade by the Duterte administration.

Because of the executive clemency, Mabilog, who served as Iloilo City mayor from 2010 to 2017, can again run for public office.

The clemency was in connection with the administrative cases that stemmed from various accusations, including those related to Mabilog’s supposed unexplained wealth, irregular appointment and ties with a firm that entered into a deal with the local government.

It does not cover his criminal charges that have been filed in court.

“Given former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s longstanding commitment to good governance, coupled with awards and recognition received by Iloilo City under his leadership, the President granted Mabilog’s petition for executive clemency in connection with his administrative case, thereby removing the penalties or disabilities resulting from such case,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement issued yesterday.

In reaction, Mabilog said the development is “not just a vindication for the unjust and deceitful charges filed, but the triumph of justice in the country.”

He said his arduous journey to return home had been a struggle for justice to prevail.

Mabilog was joined by Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda, his loved ones and several supporters in a thanksgiving mass held in Molo.

After the mass, Mabilog spoke to his supporters wherein he thanked Marcos, through Bersamin, for granting his request for executive clemency.

“The resolution has explained what happened since I was chosen world mayor until we were given the seal of good governance and even the programs during my term. Again, it (clemency) was granted because of good government during my leadership as Iloilo City mayor,” Mabilog said.

Baronda also expressed her gratitude to Marcos, saying in a Facebook post that “the prayers of thousands, who have witnessed how he gave his all for Iloilo City as our city mayor and how he loved the Ilonggos, have been heard. Justice is served.”

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who was the police chief during Duterte’s war on drugs, said he has “no problem” with the clemency, noting that it was for administrative cases and not those involving drugs.

“His case is not drug-related, right? It is an administrative case for disbursement of funds… I have no complaints there. In fact, as I’ve said, when it comes to the allegation against him about drugs, I said then that I was very much willing to help him clear his name before President Duterte,” Dela Rosa said.

‘Reward for Duterte critic’

Salvador Panelo, who served as Duterte’s chief legal counsel, said the executive clemency was “a reward for attacking and besmirching the integrity and reputation of (Duterte), who is a critic of the administration.”

Mabilog was one of the officials tagged by former president Rodrigo Duterte in the narcotics trade and was included in the previous administration’s drug watch list.

The former mayor has denied involvement in the illegal drug trade.

During a House quad comm hearing last September, he told the committee members that he had received death threats during the presidency of Duterte.

Duterte, who launched a brutal war on illegal drugs, labeled Mabilog as a “drug protector” on live television on Aug. 7, 2016.

A year later, the ombudsman ordered Mabilog’s dismissal from the service after finding him guilty of serious dishonesty for his failure to explain an P8.98-million increase in his wealth.

The ruling emanated from a complaint filed in 2013 by former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada over Mabilog’s alleged unexplained wealth and irregular appointment of an executive assistant for dengue concerns. — Jennifer Rendon, Cecille Suerte Felipe