Former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog visited the City Hall in the morning of September 20, 2024.

His supporters were observed to be milling at the hallway waiting for the ex-mayor’s arrival. 

Employees accorded him a warm reception, while other workers inside the Iloilo City Hall looked out of the window to get a glimpse of Mabilog upon his arrival.

The presence of former department heads that served during his administration was also observed. As soon as he entered the City Hall, more employees greeted him.

Mabilog was on a courtesy call at the office of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

The two exchanged pleasantries and sparked a casual conversation after not seeing each other for seven years.

Other city officials also welcomed Mabilog.

According to Treñas, Mabilog proved himself innocent in the House quad committee hearing.

Mabilog was accused as a “drug protector” under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

In front of Treñas, Mabilog disclosed that he has no plans yet of going back to politics. It is his priority to clear first his name, he said.

Treñas said that when Mabilog was tagged “drug protector,” he asked help from former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez but to no avail.

After his appearance on September 19, 2024 at the Congressional probe on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) and ties to the illegal drugs trade, drug war and extrajudicial killings (EJK), Mabilog returned to Iloilo City in the morning of September 20, 2024.

From the airport, he went straight to the Dominican Sisters to pray. He also attended a Holy Mass offered at St. Anne Parish Church in the district of Molo, and proceeded to visit the tomb of his parents.

To recall, his mother passed away while he was on self-exile in the United States due to alleged security threats.