Marcos grants clemency to ex-Iloilo mayor Mabilog over Duterte-era cases

CEBU, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has granted executive clemency to former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, removing penalties from previous administrative cases against him, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed Monday, January 27.

“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,” Bersamin said.

The former mayor filed a petition for an unconditional presidential pardon before the Office of the President on September 20, 2024 in relation to an administrative case dating back to 2017.

On October 23, 2017, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Mabilog’s dismissal from the service for allegedly violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standard.

The case stemmed from Mabilog and then-city councilor Plaridel Nava II’s involvement in the awarding of a government contract to a towing firm in 2015.

Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said the officials allegedly had direct financial interest in the towing firm and that their act carried an element of graft because the contract was struck without competitive bidding.

Prior to this, the Ombudsman, in a resolution dated August 29, 2017, ordered Mabilog’s dismissal after finding him guilty of serious dishonesty for a questionable P8.9-million increase in his wealth from 2012 to 2013.

While Mabilog was abroad

Mabilog and his family fled the country on August 30, 2017 after then-president Rodrigo Duterte openly accused him of involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Fearing for his life, Mabilog sought asylum in the United States, and he subsequently told the House of Representatives’ quad committee hearing on September 19, 2024, that he did so to prevent the Duterte administration from making him falsely link former senators Mar Roxas and Franklin Drilon to illegal drugs.

While he was abroad, the Court of Appeals reversed the Ombudsman’s decision on the case regarding his wealth.

On March 2, 2023, the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges before the Sandiganbayan against Mabilog and Nava over their alleged involvement in the towing contract.

After this, the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division and Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Cebu ordered Mabilog’s arrest. He was able to post bail upon his return and surrender to the National Bureau of Investigation on September 10, 2024.

On justice and justification

According to Bersamin, Marcos granted Mabilog’s petition for executive clemency due to the circumstances that forced the former mayor to leave the country.

Bersamin noted Mabilog’s explanation, citing a perceived threat to his life from the Duterte administration, which labeled him as Iloilo City’s alleged “drug lord.”

“Whether that is true or not, that is irrelevant now, but after the term of president Duterte expired and the new administration came in, Mabilog had more confidence and he returned to the country especially during the height of the investigations by the quad committee,” he said.

In a statement, Iloilo Representative Julienne Baronda thanked Marcos for granting Mabilog clemency.

“The prayers of thousands, who are living witnesses to how he has given it all for Iloilo City as our city mayor and how he has loved the Ilonggos, have been heard. Justice is served,” Baronda said. – with reports from Bea Cupin and Dwight de Leon/Rappler.com