The former mayor of Iloilo City who left the country for alleged security threats has returned after seven years.

Jed Patrick Mabilog, former mayor of Iloilo City, arrived in the country at around 11 a.m. on September 10, 2024, as confirmed by his legal counsel, Atty. Jeric Jucaban.

Mabilog surrendered at the National Bureau of Investigation to face his cases at the Sandiganbayan and in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

He immediately posted bail to the said cases, Atty. Jucaban said. 

Jucaban also said that Mabilog is glad to have seen back his friends.

“Makita mo nga bisan kapoy na si mayor, makita mo ang kalipay ya lalo na sang nagkitaay kami kag madamo sang iya mga abyan (Makita mong kahit pagod si mayor, makita mong masaya sya lalo na nung nagkita kami at marami sa kanyang mga kaibigan,” Jucaban said.

Jucaban added that the primary reason on the return of Mabilog to the country is to have his name cleared after former president Rodrigo Duterte tagged him as a “drug protector,” as well as the name of the City of Iloilo tagged as “Most Shabulized City.”

In a statement released by Mabilog’s wife, Marivic, on her social media account, she said that she averred to the return of her husband as it is necessary to “protect his integrity and legacy.”

Mabilog said he will attend the Quad Committee hearing of the House of Representatives should he receive an invitation.  

“Para mapabalo man sa publiko  kun ano ang natabu sa iya kag ang iya ultimate goal is really vindicate himself (Upang maipaalam rin sa publiko kung ano ang nangyari sa kanya at ang kanyang ultimate goal is really vindicate himself),” Jucaban added.

Mabilog is also set to come home to Iloilo City.

“Soonest time possible kay daw excited na siya kay kahapon daw wala pahuway ang tawag sa iya sang iya mga migo kag kilala dira sa syudad sang Iloilo (Soonest time possible kasi excited na siya at kahapon, walang tigil ang tawag sa kanya ng mga kaibigan at kakilala nya sa Iloilo,” Jucaban further said.

However, Jucaban did not confirm on Mabilog's purported return to politics for the 2025 midterm elections.

“Wala gid namon ma-istoryahan sang madalom ang issue. Pero kita mo sa iya syempre nga may huyog siya gihapon sa pulitika. Interesado gid siya (Hindi namin napag-usapan ang issue. Ngunit makikita naman sa kanya, syempre may mga interes pa rin sa politika. Interesado sya),” Jucaban said.

The lawyer reiterated that it is Mabilog’s priority to face the criminal cases filed against him.