As Iloilo races heat up, Treñas changes mind about Mabilog ‘drug links’

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Former mayor Jed Mabilog is actively campaigning for Team Sulong Gugma, led by reelectionist Iloilo City Representative Julienne Baronda. It is the rival party of Mayor Jerry Treñas' Team Uswag.

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – At the campaign kickoff of his Team Uswag on Friday, March 28, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas veered away from introducing his slate’s platform and instead devoted his time to tearing down their rival party by attacking one of its supporters, former mayor Jed Mabilog.

Treñas, whose daughter is seeking to replace him at city hall, accused Mabilog of involvement in illegal drugs — an allegation that Treñas himself had debunked just months earlier.

Speaking before a crowd of over 40,000 Team Uswag supporters at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand on Friday, Treñas said: “I struggled when I took office in 2019. It was difficult. Why? Because our city was labeled as the ‘most shabulized’ city in the Philippines,” he said in a mix of Hiligaynon and English. 

Months into his presidency, then-president Rodrigo Duterte had claimed that Iloilo was the “most shabulized province” in the country and even named local officials and politicians who reportedly had links to the drug trade, including Mabilog, but did not provide proof.

In 2017, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency regional office clarified that Mabilog was not on their watch list or was known to be protecting drug personalities. 

Mabilog is actively campaigning for Team Sulong Gugma, led by reelectionist Iloilo City Representative Julienne Baronda. Treñas and Baronda, who had been allies for two consecutive elections, recently had a falling out, which resulted in the congresswoman leading a new party.

Treñas’ statement on Friday is a complete turnaround from what he had said in front of Mabilog when the latter paid a courtesy call on him in September 20, 2024.

At the time, Treñas said: “Mayor Jed has no involvement in drugs. It was clarified that there was no evidence whatsoever to link Mayor Jed to the drug lords here in Iloilo City. I don’t consider Mayor Jed an enemy.”

‘Divisive’ leadership

Mabilog quickly responded to Treñas Friday remarks, stressing the importance of leadership characterized by integrity and respect over personal attacks.

“Mayor (Treñas’), politics may be filled with disagreements, but true leadership is measured by character, not personal attacks,” he said. 

Mabilog also emphasized that respect, integrity, and genuine service should always come first, noting that public conduct reflects one’s private character.

He described Treñas’ leadership as “divisive” and pushed for leadership that uplifts rather than worsens the political climate. 

Mabilog, then-Iloilo City mayor, went on self-imposed exile in the US in 2017, citing threats to his life due to Duterte’s allegations. He remained abroad until September 2024, when he returned to the Philippines to clear his name. 

During his time in exile, Mabilog sought political asylum and maintained his innocence, emphasizing that he would only return once Duterte was no longer in power. 

Upon his return, Mabilog testified before the House of Representatives, revealing that he also fled to the US as he was being forced to falsely link former senators Mar Roxas and Franklin Drilon to the drug trade. 

Political comeback

Treñas said he would have a political comeback if a “drug protector and financer” also returns to politics.

Treñas originally intended to run for a third term as mayor in the 2025 elections but changed his mind due to health reasons, opting instead to endorse his daughter, Raisa Treñas-Chu, as the mayoral candidate. 

Mabilog, while remaining hesitant to confirm any political ambitions, had said that he would take a break from public service to focus on his personal well-being. 

However, he did not entirely dismiss the possibility of returning to politics, saying it would depend on “God’s plans.”

Earlier this January, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. granted executive clemency to Mabilog. The clemency removed administrative penalties and disabilities stemming from his previous cases, allowing him to run for public office again. – Rappler.com