BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog would be a “worthy opponent” should he decide to run for mayor anew, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas who is seeking reelection in the upcoming May 2025 midterm polls.
“All my political opponents are worthy. My rule is that, when it comes to politics, dapat politika lang gid na. We will do our best and we cannot say that we are strong kag indi ta pagtuod-tuodon ang ubra ta. Basta politika, tuod-tuodon gid na ya,” said Treñas.
Mabilog returned on Sept. 10 seven years after he fled the country last August 2017 to ensure his safety after being publicly accused by then President Rodrigo Duterte of being a drug protector. He has consistently denied the allegation.
Treñas supported Mabilog’s return to the country to clear his name. Both have been political allies since 2007 when Mabilog ran and was elected as vice mayor of Iloilo City, with Treñas as his mayor.
In 2010, Mabilog was elected mayor in tandem with Treñas who won as congressman.
“It is important for us to understand the full context and get to the truth. Should he be allowed to clear his name, this is a significant step towards both the truth and the peace he is seeking,” said Treñas.
“If he decides to re-enter politics, he has every right to do so. In politics, individuals are free to run for any position they choose,” the mayor added.
Mabilog served as Iloilo City mayor from 2010 to 2017. He is set to testify in the House of Representatives’ quad-committee hearing this week.
The quad-committee has conducted a series of hearings on the proliferation of drugs and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) under the administration of Duterte.
Duterte tagged Iloilo City as the country’s “most shabulized” city and the “bedrock of illegal drugs” aside from demonizing Mabilog.
The former mayor has moved to activate his voting record with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
His taking steps to re-establish his status as a registered voter in Iloilo City is perceived by supporters as an attempt to stay engaged with the political landscape in the city in the 2025 midterm elections.
In his recent statement, Jeric Jucaban, counsel for Mabilog, said the former mayor returned to the country with a “renewed sense of hope and commitment to justice.”
“After careful consideration and assessment of the current judicial system, Mayor Mabilog has decided to come back, trusting in the current administration’s commitment to due process and fairness,” said Jucaban.
The lawyer said Mabilog is presently navigating his legal challenges “with the utmost care and consideration,” referring to the graft case the former mayor is facing with the Sandiganbayan over an allegedly anomalous vehicle towing contract signed in 2015.
“Mayor Mabilog humbly requests the prayers and support of his fellow Ilonggos, whose trust and love he has cherished throughout his service. He longs to return to his beloved city and reconnect with the community he holds dear,” said Jucaban.
Election Assistant Jonathan Sayno of Comelec-Iloilo City confirmed that they deactivated the voting record of Mabilog after he failed to participate in three successive elections in 2019 (midterm), 2022 (presidential), and 2023 (youth and barangay).
Section 27 of the Republic Act 8189, or the Voter’s Registration Act of 1996, states that the Election Registration Board “shall deactivate the registration and remove the registration records” of any person “who did not vote in the two successive preceding regular elections as shown by their voting records.”
Deactivated voters may apply for reactivation until September 30, 2024, the deadline for the ongoing voters’ registration.
The deactivated voters will be placed on “inactive” status but will not be deleted from Comelec’s database.
Deactivated voters can reactivate their records by personally appearing at the Comelec office, submitting a new application for registration, and completing the requirements./PN
