Mabilog hopes for reconciliation with political foes
Incoming Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said he is hoping for a reconciliation with the barangay officials who did support him during the May 10 elections, as he prepares to officially assume office tomorrow.
Mabilog said he is open to resolving things with his political opponents for the sake of the people and the city.
“There’s a lot of room (for reconciliation) and I know time heals it wounds even if we were hurt by what they did to us,” he said.
Mabilog recalled that during the campaign period, some barangay captains and supporters of the Gonzalezes prevented them from entering their barangays, threw stones, and uttered hurtful words at them.
Mabilog defeated Former Presidential Legal Counsel Raul Gonzalez Sr., known as the political godfather of many Iloilo City barangay captains, in the mayoralty race. Gonzalez’s son, Raul Jr., also lost to outgoing Mayor Jerry Treñas in the congressional contest.
Mabilog said, however, the things that happened during the campaign is not a basis for him to close his door to the Gonzalez supporters.
Still he admitted that he is also considering the feelings of the barangay captains who supported him.
“I am also giving importance to those who never left us. Frankly speaking, it is not really easy for us to forget those incidents but we are now in the process of accepting reality,” he said.
Mabilog said the barangay captains who abandoned their group during the elections are like prodigal sons who left their father for their own personal interests but later decided to return home for reconciliation.
“Let us be Christian, accept forgiveness, and give accommodation to those who return support to us,” he said.
Treñas, Mabilog, and Vice Mayor-elect Jose Espinosa III took their oath yesterday morning in rites held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, where Ilonggo Senator-elect Franklin Drilon was the guest of honor and speaker.
The city councilors who were inducted into office were Nielex Tupas, Perla Zulueta, RLeone Gerochi, Jason Gonzales, Plaridel Nava, Edward Yee, Joshua Alim, David Jamora, Ely Estante, Lyndon Acap, Jeffrey Ganzon, and Rodel Fullon Agado.
Judge Antonio Natino of the Regional Trial Court was the officiating judge of the oath-taking rites.
