Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who has been overseas since August, resurfaced for the first time since leaving the country via a holiday-themed family photo recently posted on Facebook.

“From our hearts to your homes, we bring the Christmas message of joy and not fear; redemption and not condemnation; truth and not lies; peace and not hatred,” the former mayor said in the post.

Back in October, after stating Mabilog would return to Iloilo City at the end of September, following a sick leave that was initiated on September 11, which immediately followed two consecutive trips overseas, spokesperson for the mayor, Atty. Mark Piad, said the city official’s sick leave would be extended another 30 days.

The former mayor left the country a day before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an inspection of his waterfront home, which overlooks the Iloilo River.

Those close to the Mabilog camp claim he and his family were “scared for their lives.”

The former mayor is said to be in Canada with his wife, who is a Canadian citizen.

Also in October, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Mabilog on the grounds of “serious dishonesty” and “unlawful acquisition of wealth.”

In the span of one year, the Ombudsman found Mabilog’s wealth increased by around P8.9 million, citing his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for 2012 quoting assets of P59.35 million, which increased to P68.34 million the following year.

With the dismissal, the former mayor was penalized with perpetual disqualification, making him ineligible to seek public office in the future.

Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III has since assumed full mayoral powers over the city./WDJ