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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Tuesday. September 12, 2017
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ILOILO City – Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is making a decision when he comes back from abroad, according to his spokesperson.
Decision on what? And where exactly is the city mayor? The three-day 2017 Urban Environment Accords Summit he attended in Melaka, Malaysia beginning Sept. 7 ended on Sept. 9.
“Abroad sia although I could not confirm pa,” said Atty. Mark Piad, the mayor’s spokesperson, yesterday.
The mayor may be returning on or before Wednesday, said an uncertain Piad.
Piad previously denied that Mabilog, whom President Rodrigo Duterte accused of being a drug protector but without presenting evidence, had fled the country.
Upon his return, Mabilog will be discussing with his advisers, among others, the alleged threat to his life, said Piad.
The local police said it had not monitored any verifiable threat to Mabilog’s life but rumors persist that members of the so-called Davao Death Squad are already here and are targeting the mayor.
“As of the moment we are waiting the final decision of the mayor when to come home to Iloilo City,” he said.
Mabilog’s wife Maria Victoria, a Canadian citizen, confirmed to Panay News last week she was already out of the country with her two children. She feared for her children’s safety, she explained but declined to say where they were.
Piad said well-meaning friends have been giving the mayor unsolicited advice – take leave of absence, seek political asylum, or resign.
“All of these are being taken into consideration. We want to assess things before a decision can be made,” said Piad.
But he shot down Mabilog’s resignation as an option.
“We are exploring other options but definitely not resignation,” said Piad.
President Duterte had been increasingly critical of Mabilog in recent days. He ordered the National Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Internal Revenue to conduct a lifestyle check on the mayor.
He also insinuated that Mabilog’s residence was funded by drug money, but the mayor denied this.
Last week of August, Mabilog attended an international conference on disaster management in Yokohama, Japan but Durterte claimed the mayor “escaped” to Japan and “living luxuriously” there.
From Japan, Mabilog proceeded to Malaysia for the 2017 Urban Environment Accords Summit, said Piad.
The mayor has another scheduled trip abroad – South Korea – on the last week of September, said Piad.
Mabilog rejected resignation as an option during an Aug. 29 speech before city hall employees.
“Mahapos lang tani para sa akon, pwede na lang ko tani maka-resign para magtawhay na lang ang aton nga syudad…,” he said.
But, added Mabilog, “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.
He addressed the President’s accusation squarely.
“Wala ko may natawgan maskin sin-o nga indi sia pagtandogon or indi sia pagdakpon or kun madakpan sia, pag gwaon. Wala gid. Never,” he insisted./PN
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