ILOILO CITY – Former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog here said his homecoming to this city is the best birthday gift he received after living seven years in exile in the United States.
FORMER Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog greets well-wishers at Iloilo City Hall on Friday, September 20. (Tara Yap)
“Thanks to God. This birthday is significant to me personally and my family,” said Mabilog on his 59th birth anniversary on Friday, September 20.
“I made a promise to myself to return to Iloilo City. I have returned,” said Mabilog who arrived from Manila with Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “JamJam” Baronda.
Mabilog expressed optimism that the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is fair in seeking the truth not only for him but also for Iloilo City.
“I believe there will be justice,” added Mabilog.
Mabilog first visited the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse in Molo District. He prayed at the chapel and thanked the Dominican nuns for sheltering his wife Marivic and son Nathan on August 29, 2017 before they left the country for the United States.
Mabilog wished that his family could have joined him in celebrating his birth anniversary and homecoming, especially since September is the birth month of their children Patricia and Nathan.
His wife and children stayed in the United States.
He visited the Molo Church for a thanksgiving Mass and proceeded to the nearby Molo Cemetery to visit the grave of his mother Melchorita who died in 2019.
Mabilog said that one of the painful moments while in exile in the United States was never having the opportunity to say goodbye to his mother.
He said that he would only remove his crown of thorns ring once he is able to visit his mother’s resting place.
FORMER Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog celebrates his 59th birth anniversary during his homecoming to Iloilo City on Friday, September 20. With him were Iloilo City Rep. Julienne ‘JamJam’ Baronda, Jeck Conlu, a former Iloilo City official, relatives, and well-wishers. (Tara Yap)
Mabilog proceeded to his old house in Molo District where he had breakfast with family and supporters before proceeding to Iloilo City Hall for a courtesy call with Mayor Jerry Treñas.
He was repeatedly threatened by then President Rodrigo Duterte that he would be killed for being an alleged narco-politician in the “most shabulized” city in 2017.