Jed Mabilog on 2028 run: politics can wait, DILG first

By Jennifer P. Rendon

ILOILO CITY – Former Iloilo City Mayor and now Interior Undersecretary for Public Safety Jed Patrick Mabilog has again declined to talk about his possible political plans for the 2028 elections.

Mabilog was in Iloilo City on Wednesday, Sept. 9, with Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla for the ceremonial turnover of 20 emergency response motorcycles for the Unified 911 program at the Police Regional Office 6 headquarters in Camp Martin Delgado.

He was also the guest speaker on Friday at the Bureau of Fire Protection 6 Fire Square Roadshow at the University of San Agustin campus in Jaro, Iloilo City.

Mabilog noted that he was designated just four months ago as the DILG undersecretary for public safety. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him to the post in May 2026.

“I need to go around the 18 regions to communicate the DILG’s program to the BJMP and the BFP,” he said, putting special emphasis on Remulla’s message against corruption and illegal drugs.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and the Bureau of Fire Protection are among the DILG-attached agencies that fall under his supervision as undersecretary for public safety.

He added that they have also been busy with the awareness campaign for the Unified 911 emergency hotline.

Launched in September 2025, Unified 911 folds police, fire, and medical emergency services into a single nationwide number, with support for text, video, and location data intended to shorten response times.

“Kadako sang responsibilidad, kagamay sang tyempo. So, set aside anay ang pulitika,” he said. (The responsibility is large, the time is short. So set politics aside for now.)

Mabilog, who spent seven years in exile in the United States, regained his political eligibility after Marcos granted him executive clemency in January 2025.

The clemency wiped out the administrative penalties from the case that removed him from office, restoring his qualification for both appointive and elective posts.

There were reports that Mabilog will run for a congressional seat in Iloilo City in 2028 against Iloilo City Councilor Miguel Treñas.

Son of former Mayor Jerry Treñas and brother of incumbent Mayor Raisa Treñas-Chu, Miguel confirmed in June 2026 that he will run for congressman of Iloilo City’s lone district in the 2028 elections.

The seat will be open. Lone district Rep. Julienne “Jam” Baronda is serving her third and final consecutive term and cannot seek reelection.

Mabilog said in May that he remains open to joining Baronda’s Team Sulong-Gugma slate for 2028.