BACOLOD, Philippines – The political landscape of Iloilo City is heating up as former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog prepares to reenter the fray, ready to challenge Mayor Jerry Treñas or his daughter for the city’s highest office.
Mabilog, who spent the last seven years in self-imposed exile in the United States, will officially file his certificate of candidacy for mayor on October 8, a group of his supporters confirmed.
The decision follows weeks of speculation, stoked by his recent return to Iloilo and his growing visibility at public events.
On Tuesday, October 1, a statement from “Kailangan Kita,” a group of Mabilog supporters, confirmed the former mayor’s comeback.
The group, which had long advocated for his return, rallied around the man once driven from office and Iloilo City due to threats from then-president Rodrigo Duterte.
The group said Mabilog will run together with the group of Iloilo City Representative Julienne Baronda, who recently severed her political ties with Treñas.
Baronda, seeking reelection for her third and final term, helped facilitate Mabilog’s homecoming and appearance before the House of Representatives’ quad-committee, which is investigating the controversial drug war during the Duterte administration.
On Saturday, September 29, Mabilog – whom Duterte labeled a “big-time narco politician” in 2017 – was seen at Baronda’s “Gugma” (love) distribution event, a cash assistance payout to more than 9,000 college scholars at the University of San Agustin Gym in Iloilo City. The event further fueled talk that Mabilog would challenge a member of the Treñas family.
Treñas acknowledged Mabilog as a “worthy opponent” but declined to comment further on whether Mabilog would run against him or his daughter, Raisa.
Speculation is growing that Treñas may run for congressman and challenge Baronda’s reelection bid, while Raisa could seek the mayoral position.
Mabilog’s political rise began as Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, followed by stints as councilor from 2004 to 2007, vice mayor from 2007 to 2010, and mayor from 2010 until he fled the country in 2017 after Duterte threatened and accused him of protecting illegal drug syndicates in Western Visayas – an accusation he strongly denied.
Before the House committee, he said Duterte demonized him because he supported the 2016 presidential bid of Duterte’s rival, former senator and Interior secretary Mar Roxas. Mabilog is also a relative of ex-senator Franklin Drilon, an opposition figure during the Duterte administration.
Treñas, a lawyer, was serving as a congressman when Mabilog fled abroad. He has long been a prominent political figure in Iloilo City since serving as vice mayor in 2001, followed by roles as mayor, congressman, and again mayor since 2019. His daughter Raisa currently serves as his executive assistant. – Rappler.com