Mabilog declares mayoralty bid in 2010 polls
Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog officially declared his intention to run for mayor of Iloilo City in next year’s election at the jam-packed auditorium of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) in Gen. Luna Street yesterday
Mabilog’s declaration was welcomed with constant chanting and clapping of his more than 2,000 supporters mostly wearing red shirts and waving red balloons and streamers bearing his name.
A holy mass celebrated by Fr. Esperidion “Boy” Celiz, parish priest of Our Lady of Espousal in Mandurriao district, preceded Mabilog’s declaration of his candidacy.
Mabilog is the third politician to openly declare running for mayor of Iloilo City in 2010. Chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. and presidential assistant on water Lorenzo Jamora have announced their mayoralty bid earlier.
In his very lengthy speech, Mabilog capitalized on the call for fresh leadership in the city. “Let us put a stop to the cycle of threats and intimidation that characterize our present political atmosphere. This culture won’t stop if we allow ourselves to be intimidated by others,” Mabilog said.
Mabilog said his decision to run for mayor was driven by the strong clamor of the people for change as shown in the surveys conducted by a reputable survey firm.
He said based on the survey result, 60 per cent of the Ilonggos clamor for change and new ideas and this encouraged him to offer himself as the “citizens deserve someone who has integrity and basic decency for good public policy.”
Because of his decision he found himself deserting his previous political group but Mabilog said he would rather leave his group than ignore the call of the people he truly serves.
Mabilog ran under the Lakas-CMD party in two previous elections, where he won his first term as councilor and as vice mayor. In his speech, there is a strong indication he will run under the banner of the Liberal Party.
Mabilog strongly contested the belief of some politicians that only one person or family could provide better prospects for the city. “It is not right to say that only one person or family could provide a future for Iloilo City. After all, the city’s biggest asset is its multi-talented people. The city has the best doctors, lawyers, engineers, among others and even the best political leaders. There’s no such thing as monopoly of leadership,” he stressed.
Mabilog also cited that a good mayor should inspire rather than threaten or intimidate the citizens.
“People have become afraid to express their free will because they are afraid of retaliation... because they are threatened by people in power,” Mabilog said.
At the same time, Mabilog decried the old practice of “patronage politics” by existing political leaders. “We should be done with the worst type of politics that is patronage politics where only a few could avail graces from those in power. Everyone should have equal access to government resources,” Mabilog added.
It was not yet clear on who would be Mabilog’s running mate as well as their group’s congressional candidate and slate for councilors. However, several incumbent and former city officials were spotted during the event.
Incumbent city councilors present were Julienne Baronda, Lex Tupas, and Lyndon Acap while former councilors Erlinda Liberiaga, Marietta Orleans and Atty. Joshua Alim also attended the occasion.
Labor leader Allen Aquino, Atty. Plaridel Nava, Atty. R Leone Gerochi, and former city police director Senior Supt. Norlito Bautista were also present. Christian and Muslim communities were also represented as well as professionals, businessman and senior citizens.
Mabilog was accompanied by his wife Ma. Victoria and two children, his aunt and uncle during the affair.