BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The Sandiganbayan will begin the trial of the graft case against former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog and former city councilor Plaridel Nava II over a vehicle towing contract signed in 2015.
Mabilog returned to the country on Tuesday morning seven years after he fled following accusations of protecting drug lords by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017, a claim that he has consistently denied.
Agents from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) escorted Mabilog upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 onboard a Cathay Pacific flight past at 11 a.m.
Mabilog was then escorted to the Sandiganbayan where he posted P90,000 bail for his temporary freedom relative to the graft case over an allegedly anomalous vehicle towing contract signed in 2015.
Mabilog’s inclusion in Duterte’s list of alleged narco-politicians led to intense scrutiny and threats, prompting his departure to ensure his safety.
After Mabilog was apprehended and posted bail, the anti-graft court set the arraignment on Oct. 11, 2024.
During the arraignment, the charges are formally read to the accused, who is then required to enter a plea, whether guilty or not guilty. The arraignment marks the official start of the trial process.
In a statement, Jeric Jucaban, counsel for Mabilog, said the former mayor returned to the country with a “renewed sense of hope and commitment to justice.”
“After careful consideration and assessment of the current judicial system, Mayor Mabilog has decided to come back, trusting in the current administration’s commitment to due process and fairness,” said Jucaban.
He said Mabilog took a significant step by voluntarily submitting to the legal process and placing himself in the custody of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
“This move underscores his respect for the law and his readiness to address the matters that have been pending against him,” said Jucaban.
The lawyer noted that Mabilog immediately posted bail and secured the orders to allow his temporary liberty within the same day on Tuesday.
“He (Mabilog) greatly appreciates the professionalism of the members of the NBI while he was under their custody and the efficiency and promptness of the Sandiganbayan and the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City in issuing the release orders,” said Jucaban.
Likewise, Jucaban said Mabilog would refrain from making any public statements, saying the former city official is currently evaluating his legal remedies concerning the cases filed against him during his time abroad.
“He seeks to navigate these challenges with the utmost care and consideration. Mayor Mabilog humbly requests the prayers and support of his fellow Ilonggos, whose trust and love he has cherished throughout his service. He longs to return to his beloved city and reconnect with the community he holds dear,” said Jucaban.
For his part, Nava said he had already filed a demurrer to evidence, which is scheduled for resolution on Oct. 11.
The demurrer to evidence is a motion by the defense filed to challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution on the grounds of insufficiency to warrant a conviction against the defendant.
“I will not be affected by the return of Jed because my case is already terminated and submitted for resolution,” said Nava.
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas filed the case before the Sandiganbayan against the accused on September 16, 2015, but the filing of information with the anti-graft court only took place last March 2.
In his motion, Nava argued that his constitutional right to a speedy disposition of his case was violated.
In its opposition to Nava’s motion, the prosecution said the delay by saying that the Ombudsman’s rules require “layers of review.”
The case against Nava and Mabilog stemmed from an Iloilo City government contract awarded to 3L Towing Services in January 2015. They were accused of allegedly having direct financial interest in 3L Towing Services and used a businesswoman to act as a dummy owner of the company./PN
