1 month ago
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ILOILO CITY — Former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the clemency granted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to his administrative cases is a demonstration of maturity and impartial leadership.
Mabilog admitted that he actively campaigned for the opposition tandem of then-vice president Leni Robredo and former senator Kiko Pangilinan in the 2022 elections.
He said that despite his political alignment and past difficulties under the previous administration, Marcos still granted him clemency.
"I would like to express my gratitude to [the president] for granting me executive clemency [...] This demonstrates that he is indeed a great and mature leader who prioritizes the merits of a case over political affiliations," he said in a statement on Friday.
The former mayor also pledged to support and contribute to Marcos' programs "to the best of my ability and capacity."
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The clemency effectively removes all administrative penalties from Mabilog's previous dismissal from public service in 2017 due to allegations of misconduct and unexplained wealth.
The clemency granted to Mabilog restored his rights to vote and hold public office, allowing him to run for election again.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that the decision was influenced by Mabilog's "long-standing commitment to good governance" and the recognition Iloilo City received during his tenure as mayor from 2010 to 2017.
Meanwhile, Mabilog's wife, Marivic, criticized Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa for continuing to link her husband to illegal drugs.
Marivic was reacting to Dela Rosa's interview statement that he cannot confirm if Mabilog has a direct involvement on the proliferation of drugs.
"Just shut up, Bato. The Philippine National Police report you received when you were the chief had clearly indicated that Jed was never involved in the protection of the drug lords," she said.
Marivic argued that drug proliferation in Iloilo decreased during her husband's tenure, citing his early efforts in demolishing drug dens since 2010.
She also alleged that former president Rodrigo Duterte hated her husband because Iloilo's drug crackdown disrupted Davao's supply chain, hinting at ulterior motives behind the drug war.
She also recalled the Aug. 28, 2017 dinner invitation of Dela Rosa at Camp Crame, suspecting it was a setup to make her husband a target in Duterte's drug war.
While stating that his husband has chosen to forgive, she made it clear that she has not, describing her experience as deeply personal.
"My story, my experience of your cruelty and injustice is personal for me. Forgiveness, for me, is God's sole prerogative. I had forgiven myself for detesting Duterte and his minions like yourself," she said.
