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[av_heading heading=’ PALACE: JED SAFE Rule of law prevails – Abella ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ and GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Wednesday, October 4, 2017
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MANILA – Malacañang assured Iloilo City’s Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of a safe return from an extended sick leave abroad.
Mabilog, whom President Rodrigo Duterte accused of being an illegal drug protector, decided to extend his sick leave for another 30 days beginning Oct. 1.
Asked about the mayor’s security concern for himself and for his family, this was what Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said during yesterday’s press briefing: “Of course. This is a pretty democratic country.”
The President has repeatedly linked Mabilog to illegal drugs as a coddler since August 2016 but over a year since he first made the allegation no charges have been filed against the Iloilo City mayor.
“As far as evidence shows, rule of law prevails,” said Abella.
The President ordered a lifestyle check on Mabilog. The results were yet to be released.
In an internet interview on Monday, Mabilog’s wife Maria Victoria told Panay News she was keeping her husband from returning not only because of the mayor’s health condition but also because of “the present threat, veiled or otherwise.”
The beleaguered city mayor initially took a sick leave from Sept. 11 to 30, citing his diabetes.
Stress was complicating his condition thus he decided to seek treatment abroad, said Mabilog’s spokesperson Atty. Mark Piad.
Maria Victoria, a Canadian citizen, declined to disclose their whereabouts but confirmed to Panay News that her husband “is still undergoing some treatment.”
Abella, however, said: “That, we need to refer to the Office of the Executive Secretary to find out their opinion regarding the matter.”
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, on the other hand, said, “If it’s allowed by law and if he is still sick, then we should also give him the right to be treated, be hospitalized.”
Panelo, however, doubted if there’s a law allowing an extended sick leave.
Reacting to the observation that no formal complaint had been filed against Mabilog despite the President’s accusation, Panelo said, “The Philippine National Police will be the one filing the case.”
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) said it was willing to provide security assistance to Mabilog but this would depend on the result of a threat validation.
According to PRO-6 spokesperson Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, the regional police office had no information about the alleged threat on the mayor’s life.
He also said Western Visayas remained a peaceful region.
The Mabilogs left the country for Japan on Aug. 31. Bureau of Immigration records showed they took separate flights.
Well-meaning friends have been urging Mabilog to take a leave of absence while the situation was “still very hot.” One of them was Julienne Baronda, former city councilor.
“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.
Mabilog dismissed the President’s charge that he was coddling drug traffickers.
“I have never protected anyone, especially in illegal drugs. I will never do that,” he said./PN
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