“When politics is no longer a mission but a profession, politicians become more self-serving than public servants.” –Emmanuel Macron
The first argument opponents of former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog will raise is “Victoria ‘Marivic’ Griengo Mabilog is a Canadian citizen and is not qualified to run for public office in 2019.” Critics are preparing amid reports the former Iloilo City first lady, who is currently outside the country, is being urged by some Ilonggos to run for mayor; however, it only the Commission on Elections that can make such a determination on qualification.
The presumed candidate has yet to make any formal announcement but, if she runs and is deemed qualified, Mabilog will be squaring off with two of her husband’s former chief allies, incumbent Iloilo City Mayor Jose ‘Joe III’ Espinosa III and Iloilo City lone district Rep. Jerry P. Treñas.
Her entry into the race would also give the two a titanic headache as she would collect all the “wasted” votes when the combined Espinosa-Treñas empire collapses.
Conversely, if she nixes politics, there is no assurance the Mabilogs will take sides.
Although, with Espinosa working with many of his predecessor’s key acolytes, many in City Hall believed the Mabilogs would throw their support behind the incumbent.
A reliable source has also suggested the Mabilogs may not endorse any candidate for mayor. They claim the mayor is still “hurting” after nobody in the city government (including Espinosa, Treñas, and city council allies) stood up to defend him from President Rodrigo Duterte’s relentless attacks, along with the accusations of the former mayor being a “narco-politician.”
The former mayor’s second cousin, Senator Franklin Drilon, also did nothing to cushion the impact from the president’s blows. Whether the Mabilogs have hard feelings against the senator is something only they know.
The possibility of losing support from the Mabilog family is a painful blow to both mayoral candidates.
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Those who cast doubt and question the motives of this disclosure can always verify the story from “authorized” people, or from the Mabilog couple themselves, for more precise and accurate information./WDJ