Metro Manila, Philippines – A former Iloilo City mayor, who was charged with graft and fled the country for seven years due to threats after being included in the so-called Duterte drug watch list, has been granted pardon by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“In view of former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog’s long-standing commitment to good governance, coupled with the 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.
Mabilog returned in September 2024 and posted bail for his cases at the Sandiganbayan and in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
The former mayor was charged with violations of the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act” before the Sandiganbayan Third Division and the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees” at the Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Cebu.
“A heartfelt thank you to President Bongbong Marcos for granting clemency to former Mayor Jed Mabilog. This incredible news represents not only a new chapter for Mayor Mabilog and his family but also validation for those who believed in justice and second chances,” said Mabilog’s lawyer, Jeric Jucaban.
In 2016, Mabilog was accused by former President Rodrigo Duterte of being a major drug protector and was included in the so-called watch list of public officials.
He faced the House Quad Committee on the Duterte drug war in September last year and maintained his innocence regarding Duterte’s allegations.
“Una sa lahat [First of all], I declare that I was not, and never will be, a drug protector. I don’t know personally nor did I benefit in any way from any illegal drug personality in Iloilo or anywhere else,” an emotional Mabilog told lawmakers.
He added that he had been receiving death threats after Duterte named him as one of the “narco-politicians.”
The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Mabilog on October 23, 2017, for violating Section 3(h) of Republic Act 3019, as implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He was charged for serious dishonesty due to questionable wealth. The Ombudsman ruling also ordered the cancellation of Mabilog’s civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and prohibition from taking civil service examinations.
