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BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Tuesday, October 3, 2017
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MANILA – Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is not returning to the Philippines anytime soon. His wife Maria Victoria cited “the present threat, veiled or otherwise,” in an interview with Panay News.
At the Iloilo City Hall, Mabilog’s spokesperson Atty. Mark Piad confirmed yesterday that the mayor, through a family member, filed for a 30-day extension of his sick leave at the Human Resources and Management Office on Sept. 29.
Mabilog went on sick leave from Sept. 11 to 30 after attending international conferences in Japan and Malaysia, citing his diabetes. He was seeking treatment abroad, according to Piad.
Maria Victoria, a Canadian citizen, declined to disclose their whereabouts but admitted to Panay News through the internet that she was keeping her husband from returning.
“Better be healthy first and safe than sorry,” she stressed.
Mabilog has been at the receiving end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal attacks since last year. The President has repeatedly accused him of being an illegal drugs protector.
The Mabilogs left the country for Japan on Aug. 31. Bureau of Immigration records showed they took separate flights.
At city hall, Piad said Mabilog remained not fit to work because his medical condition was being aggravated by stress brought about by the President’s singling the mayor out constantly.
The mayor needed “additional time to recover,” said Piad.
“He is still undergoing some treatment,” Maria Victoria confirmed to Panay News.
Mabilog was also worried about his family’s safety, Piad revealed. This was causing him “tremendous stress and pressure”, thereby further complicating his medical condition.
“Quite serious” was how he described the threat Mabilog faces, noting that it is hampering the mayor’s service.
Well-meaning friends have been urging Mabilog to take a leave of absence or vacation while the situation was “still very hot.” One of them was Julienne Baronda, former city councillor.
“Maybe he can have at least one month vacation anywhere in the world just to calm down the situation and to allow any investigating agency to do appropriate steps – without violating his rights – to clear up matters,” said Baronda.
Piad assured city residents Mabilog will definitely return once the latter’s condition improves.
He promised to make public the mayor’s medical certificate once it arrives.
“It is our obligation to inform the public of the mayor’s condition. Immediately, we will make it known,” said Piad.
On Sept. 8, Maria Victoria confirmed to Panay News that she also took with her out of the country her two children.
“As a mother, I must instinctively do everything to protect my family, especially the children. I must shield and protect them at all cost. Please understand,” she stressed.
Although it pained her to disclose that she brought the children out of the country because it could imperil their security, Maria Victoria said, I am confirming that we are abroad.”
On Aug. 28, President Duterte announced the reassignment of Ozamiz City police director Chief Inspector Jovie Espenido to Iloilo City. A few days after, however, the Philippine National Police said the reassignment won’t push through because Espenido’s job to cleanse Ozamiz from illegal drugs was not yet finished.
Just this July 30, Ozamiz City’s Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and 14 others were killed in a shootout led by Espenido who was serving search warrants at Parojinog’s properties.
November last year, Espenido was also the police chief of Albuera, Leyte when its mayor, Rolando Espinosa Sr., was killed in a shootout as police were attempting to serve a search warrant.
Both Parojinog and Espinosa were linked by Duterte to illegal drugs, just like Mabilog.
Mabilog rejected the charge he was coddling drug traffickers.
“With God as my witness, I have never protected anyone, especially in illegal drugs. Never. I will never do that,” he said a day after Duterte announced Espenido’s reassignment to Iloilo City.
Mabilog then thumb down suggestions that he resign.
“Mahapos lang tani para sa akon, pwede na lang ko tani maka-resign para magtawhay na lang ang aton nga syudad para…I don’t know kun ano matabo,” he told city government employees.
But, he said, “I have the mandate of the Ilonggos to serve as mayor until 2019.”
“I will stay because first and foremost, I have never protected anyone in illegal drugs or even in any form of criminality,” said Mabilog./PN
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