In a significant move, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has extended executive clemency to Jed Patrick Mabilog, the former mayor of Iloilo City. This decision was confirmed by Malacañang, with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin announcing the clemency via a text message to reporters. Mabilog, who had been dismissed in 2017 on charges of misconduct and dishonesty, saw his penalties and disabilities related to his administrative case lifted by this presidential action.
Mabilog’s journey has been tumultuous. He was listed on former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial ‘narcolist,’ an accusation he consistently denied. Despite the listing, no formal charges of drug involvement were ever brought against him. Fearing for his safety, Mabilog left the Philippines for a self-imposed exile in the United States, returning only after seven years on September 10, 2024.
Upon his return, Mabilog appeared before a congressional hearing on September 19, 2024, aiming to clear his name from the drug-related allegations. Additionally, he faces graft charges at the Office of the Ombudsman, accused of interfering in the awarding of a government contract to a towing services company, in which he and a former city councilor allegedly had a financial interest.
Bersamin justified the clemency by citing Mabilog’s inability to address questions about his wealth due to his absence from the country, which led to his dismissal. Furthermore, Bersamin noted that Mabilog felt compelled to leave the country due to perceived threats from the national leadership at the time. With the clemency granted, Mabilog is now eligible to run for public office again.