Raul Sr. dares Mabilog to make public SALN
Chief presidential legal counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr. challenged Vice Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to make public his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and as well as his income tax return (ITR), after the latter declared his mayoralty bid in next year’s election.
Gonzalez Sr. has since announced his intention to run for mayor of Iloilo City in 2010 polls.
Gonzalez Sr. said it is the right of every person to seek public office. He considered Mabilog’s act as a “good riddance” to their group. He is studying if Mabilog’s early declaration constitutes a violation of the recent Supreme Court ruling relative to early campaigning.
In an interview over Bombo Radyo, Gonzalez challenged Mabilog to make public his SALN and ITR since he learned that Mabilog owns a highly-expensive Lexus car. “I wonder where he got his money,” Gonzalez said.
For his part, Gonzalez said that he and his wife Pacita recently paid some P800,000 in taxes. He said they have properties and business. They raked millions of pesos from the poultry business of his wife and same time acquired their properties during martial law.
Gonzalez added, the Anti-Money Laundering Council has randomly checked some foundations, which include Mabilog’s HALIGI Foundation, for their dollar account.
In the same interview, Gonzalez dared Mabilog to prove that he is receiving money from drug lords. He said he would have himself shot at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand if Mabilog could prove his insinuations.
During his declaration speech last Monday, with a lot of poor people asking for help Mabilog asked the attendees where he would get money to be given to them. “Diin ko kuhaon ko sa droga? (Where will I get? From illegal drugs?)”
Though Mabilog did not mention any names, Gonzalez reacted on his speech, apparently irked, he wants Mabilog to declare the truth and not just discredit him. “The truth will set us free.”
When asked whether Mabilog informed the group of his political plan, Gonzalez said they were not formally informed of the plan though there were already indications he will bolt out of their group in spite of his several pronouncements to stay with their group.
Gonzalez recalled Mabilog ran as councilor and vice mayor under the Lakas party.
On the congressional race, Gonzalez said the plan for his son Raul Jr. will push through. “It is non-negotiable. He has done much and has set a performance record in the House of Representatives.” Gonzalez Sr. said.s