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BY LUIS SBUENAFLOR JR.
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Fled…
THERE is no longer any doubt despite all the fancy rhetoric, Jed Mabilog, former World Mayor No. 5 and currently mayor of “I Am Iloilo City”, together with his family has fled the country.
Before we fully discuss the topic, let’s define our title first just to set things in its proper perspective.
Flee – run away from a place or situation of danger or to run away from (someone or something). Fled is the past and past participle of the word flee.
So we’re clear on that. Jed Mabilog together with his family ran away from a place or situation or from someone.
Only two are things are worth speculating by the time this column comes out: one is that Jed Mabilog triumphantly returns to “I Am Iloilo City” like a Roman Legion General back from the Gaelic wars, or he stays away for good either to wait this out or start a new life somewhere like a normal human being.
What brought about this complete upheaval of Jed Mabilog’s life?
Perhaps the victory of Rodrigo Duterte as President of the Republic over Jed’s candidate Mar “Daang Matuwid” Roxas whom Jed supported with passion and fervor as if his life and very existence depended on Mar “Daang Matuwid” Roxas’ victory.
And there’s this little thing where Jed’s name is prominent in President Rodrigo Duterte’s list of suspected narco-politicians.
As events would prove, his life and very existence do indeed depend on a Mar “Daang Matuwid Roxas victory.
And then there’s the killing of Abuera, Leyte mayor Rolando Espinosa followed by Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog. And what do the deaths of these two mayors have in common? Police Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido.
Like Jed Mabilog, the two “just-erased” mayors were also on President Duterte’s list of suspected narco-politicians.
At the first sign of PCI Jovie Espenido coming to “I Am Iloilo City”, this happened:
Social media experienced a barraged of testimonies and stories all declaring undying love for Jed Mabilog and what he has done for “I Am Iloilo City.”
A prayer rally and candlelight thingy was hastily organized by Jed’s people. It seems there were more people lining up for Zarks 8 peso burger than those who attended that candlelight thingy.
It looked more like an advance funeral vigil complete with candles, which was ridiculous because Jed Mabilog is very much alive, scared shit but alive.
And then the police suddenly found and eliminated Richard Prevendido, the No.2 drug lord in the “most shabu-lized” and “bedrock of illegal drugs” “I Am Iloilo City.”
The timing is indeed uncanny.
While all of these were happening, without much fanfare Mayor Jed Mabilog quietly slipped out of the country.
The natives never realized that Jed was gone until that Monday morning at the flag ceremony in front of city hall attended by all city hall employees and, of course, the “job hires.” Lo and behold it was Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III who took Jed’s place.
At first nobody said anything about Jed’s whereabouts. His PR people were mum. Then we have a post on Jed’s Facebook account saying he went to Japan on an official trip which was planned long before PCI Jovie Espenido thought of wanting to eat pancit Molo and La Paz batchoy.
And here’s what Mayor Jed Mabilog’s spokesman Lawyer Mark Piad had to say about his boss’ sudden urge to travel:
“Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has not fled to Japan where he is living a ‘luxurious life’ as alleged by President Duterte, according to the beleaguered chief executive’s spokesman on Tuesday.”
Lawyer Mark Piad said the mayor left on an official trip to Yokohama City in Japan on Aug. 30 to attend a conference of CityNet, a regional network of cities and organizations focusing on sustainable urban development.
His return flight was scheduled for Wednesday but Piad said there could be an adjustment because there were potential investors and Ilonggos in Japan who wanted to meet with the mayor.
“It could be just a day or two but nothing is final,” said Piad, who spoke to Mabilog by phone on Monday.”
And then, just to make the “Jed Mabilog Peep Show” a little more interesting:
“Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is not going home soon after all.
“After denying that he fled to Japan after being the subject of repeated tirades of President Duterte, his spokesman announced that the mayor will proceed to Malaysia from Japan to speak in an international conference.
“Mabilog’s spokesman lawyer Mark Piad said the mayor will attend the United Urban Environment Accords (UEA) Summit 2017 from Sept. 7 to 9.”
And it’s getting more and more absurd.
Wait, there’s more. Here’s something from the Sept. 8 issue of Panay News:
“The wife of Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has confirmed she and her two children have left the Philippines.
“‘Although it pains me to disclose that I brought the children out of the country because it could imperil their security, I am confirming that we are abroad,’ Maria Victoria ‘Marivic’ Mabilog told Panay News through the internet.
“Hours before she made the confirmation, Malacañang revealed Mayor Mabilog and his wife left the country for Narita, Japan on the same day, Aug. 31, but took separate flights.
“In a televised press briefing in Malacañang yesterday, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said Bureau of Immigration records showed Mayor Mabilog taking Flight PR 428 to Japan while his wife, Flight PR 432.”
And that, folks, is the continuing episode of the “Jed Mabilog Peep Show.” (brotherlouie16@gmail.com/PN)
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