By Paulo Loreto Lim

While speaking before the press in Alimodian, Iloilo over the weekend, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. addressed matters raised by dismissed Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who claimed he fled the country believing his life was under threat.

The presidential spokesperson suggested he seek legal protections.

“File a writ of amparo and ask for protection from our courts,” he said.

A writ of amparo mandates hearings be conducted on the issue within seven days, wherein a temporary protection order is issued for the petitioner and the respondent is given 72 hours to provide a response to the allegations.

In October 2017, 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 succeeded two consecutive overseas trips, spokesperson for the mayor, Atty. Mark Piad, said the city official’s sick leave would be extended another 30 days.

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

His administration earlier denied claims the mayor was fleeing the country.

It was later revealed, via Facebook, Mabilog was in Canada, where his wife is a citizen.

Last December, those close to the Mabilog camp said he and his family were “scared for their lives.”

Since leaving the country, the Office of the Ombudsman has slapped Mabilog with two dismissal orders, one on the unlawful acquisition of wealth and another for misconduct.

Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III assumed full mayoral powers last October.

Roque was in town for the start of the Himud-os Festival./PLL, WDJ