ILOILO CITY – Former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for granting his request for executive clemency.
FORMER Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick and his supporters celebrate the executive clemency granted by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, Jan. 27. (Tara Yap)
“Maraming salamat po sa ating mahal na Pangulo (Thank you to our dear President),” said Mabilog said on Monday, Jan. 27.
The presidential pardon covered the administrative penalties of the 2017 Sandiganbayan decision that found Mabilog guilty of serious dishonesty and grave misconduct.
At that time, Mabilog faced perpetual disqualification that stemmed from a complaint filed before the Ombudsman over his alleged unexplained wealth.
The graft case was filed at a time when then President Rodrigo Duterte accused Mabilog of amassing ill-gotten wealth as an alleged drug protector.
Upon returning to the country last September after seven years in exile in the United States, Mabilog filed a petition before the Office of the President to remove administrative penalties, including perpetual disqualification, that barred him from seeking an elective post.
In a seven-page decision released by Malacañang, Mabilog’s accomplishments were cited. “The President was able to recognize the good governance in Iloilo City during my time as mayor from 2010 until 2017,” Mabilog said.
He also thanked Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin for the clemency.
Mabilog credited his faith and mentioned Blessed Mother of Guadalupe and the Venerable Mother Rosario Arroyo, who hailed from his home district of Molo.
He thanked the people of Iloilo City, Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda and her family, as well as lawyer Jeric Jucaban.
“Thank you Mabilog Family, Thank you President BBM Jr.! Thank you Cong Jam Jam Baronda! Thank you Atty. Jeric Jucaban and thank you to all, each and everyone particularly the Ilonggos of Iloilo City!” Mabilog said.