BY PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA – Is Iloilo City’s Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog deserving of the 2014 World Mayor Prize? Supporters and critics of the mayor are at odds.
For example, the local government unit of Panabo City in Davao del Norte passed a resolution expressing strong support to Mabilog in his bid for the award.
“Mayor Mabilog’s epic journey both in government service and civic activities are far-reaching as it extends across the Philippine archipelago and has gained huge admiration and inspiration to his fellow servants in public service including from the Panaboans,” added the resolution of Panabo City’s Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
An Ilonggo journalist and critic of Mabilog, however, is itching to have the city mayor’s name dropped from the shortlist of nominees.
Yesterday, Manuel Majorada, former Iloilo provincial administrator, told Panay News he believes a World Mayor should possess “extraordinary leadership.”
He is not convinced Mabilog performed exceptionally well in office for two terms.
Reached for his reaction, Mabilog said he was unperturbed.
“Well, whatever he does doesn’t have any bearing with me,” Mabilog told Panay News in a text message.
The city mayor said he won’t “stoop down to (Mejorda’s) level.”
The city government of Panabo, according to its SP, is “highly delighted and proud” of Mabilog as the lone Filipino chief executive to make it to the Top 25 World Mayor’s list.
His achievements as a public official to a metropolitan city known as the “City of Love” are “incomparable” and Mabilog’s active participation in government, professional, socio-civic, religious and non-government organizations are “undeniably remarkable,” said the SP resolution.
But Mejorada chided Mabilog for publicly campaigning for his nomination.
“(It is) simply bad taste. It cheapens the award,” said Mejorada.
On Wednesday, he sent an appeal to WorldMayor.com to disqualify Mabilog.
Mabilog has been running public service like a business, alleged Mejorada.
“He is like the Pac-man character in that video game who gobbles up everything in his path…Go to a 7/Eleven and you will contribute to his growing wealth. Jog at the Esplanade and you will see his beautiful commercial building, One Esplanade,” he said.
For Panabo City, however, Mabilog is not only a “brother” in public service but also a “devoted partner” in building the nation’s socio-economic growth and development.
“The city government of Panabo therefore believes that Mayor Mabilog is a man of unimpeachable integrity, untarnished leadership character and dependable competence worthy of worldwide recognition in this year’s World Mayor Awards, hence, this support,” the resolution affirmed.
The 2014 World Mayor Prize winner and two runners-up will be announced January next year.
Mayors Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City, Juliet Marie Ferrer of La Carlota City, Benjamin Abalos of Mandaluyong City, and Eric Saratan of Talisay City were initially nominated, but excluded from the final list of nominees. (With a report from JV Fernandez, Iloilo City PIO/PN)
