Mabilog extends sick leave, but cites family’s safety too
ILOILO CITY — Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog had extended his leave of absence, but at least this time he admitted that besides his health condition, his safety and that of his family is his primary reason.
Mabilog, who filed for sick leave from September 11 to 30 to seek treatment abroad due to his diabetes mellitus type 2, did not show up again at the flagraising ceremony of the Iloilo City Hall employees yesterday.
Later in the day, his spokesperson, lawyer Mark Piad, confirmed that Mabilog has filed for another sick leave for 30 days, starting October 1, with his leave application already forwarded to the city's Human Resource Office on Friday, Sept. 29.
"He's not yet fit to go back to work. This is brought about by his medical condition," Piad said, explaining that the mayor's continuing stress—aggravating his condition—is brought about by being singled out (as a drug protector F. Thus, it will require him additional time to recover."
Piad assured the city constituents that they already asked Mabilog for a medical certificate. "Definitely, if that medical certificate will be forwarded to us, it is our obligation and duty to inform the public of his conduction," he added.
Still, Piad insisted he has no knowledge on Mabilog's exact location. After his Japan trip and later to Malaysia for official businesses, the mayor allegedly did not relay where he was staying.
As of the moment, "it is with full regret that Mayor Mabilog still cannot return back to work. But rest assured that when his condition will improve, he will definitely go back," Piad said.
Piad admitted though this time that Mabilog’s taking of sick leave is more of the security side. When asked what's Mabilog's basis for him to feel unsafe, Piad cited pronouncements earlier made by President Rodrigo Duterte against the mayor.
"The threat is quite serious," Piad said, citing that, aside from Mr. Duterte's pronouncements, some friends have also relayed some threatening information to the mayor.
Earlier, Mabilog's camp was taken aback by Duterte's admittance that he authorized the wiretapping of the former and slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog. But while admitting the wiretapping activity, Duterte also clarified that he never said Mabilog was manufacturing “shabu” but the Iloilo mayor was “protector No. 1” of those in the shabu trade.
Duterte also said that Mabilog left the country because the mayor was afraid to suffer the same fate as the Parojinogs. For this reason, at least, Piad revealed that Mabilog confided that he still feels unsafe for his family.
The thought of his family's safety is allegedly causing Mabilog stress thereby causing complications to his medical condition, he said. With Mabilog expressing concern of his and his family's security, the Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) earlier assured the mayor of safety.
Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, PRO-6 director, vowed that Mabilog will be safe if he will return home. However, Piad said they have not coordinated yet with the police to discuss Mabilog's safety concerns.
"But for sure, we will seek an audience with Gen. Binag," he said. He also admitted that Mabilog was supposed to meet with PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, as then arranged by the PRO-6 hierarchy, before the mayor flew to Japan. However, due to conflict of schedule, the meeting did not materialize.
Resignation as mayor is however not an option for Mabilog at any time. "Mayor Mabilog stressed that he has a mandate to the people of Iloilo City. And he will stand by it," Piad added.