Mabilog to File Libel Suit Against Ganzon

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog announced on Tuesday that he will file libel charges against Iloilo Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon.

“I will file a case against Ganzon. Just watch out for it in a couple of weeks. It will be for libel, and he is already aware of that,” Mabilog said at a press conference after the proclamation rally of Team Gugma Sulong.

However, Mabilog did not disclose the specific reasons behind the forthcoming legal action.

Atty. Jeric Jucaban, Mabilog’s legal counsel, confirmed to Daily Guardian that the libel charges fall within the one-year prescription period for libel. He declined to discuss the merits of the case further.

Under Article 90 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, the prescription period for filing a libel case is one year, starting from the date the libelous statement was published or made public.

Libel is defined in the Revised Penal Code as a “public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.”

Daily Guardian sought a comment from Ganzon, but he refused to give a statement.

This legal move comes as Ganzon seeks his final term as vice mayor in the 2025 midterm elections under Team Uswag. He is set to face former city councilor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda, Mabilog’s chosen vice mayoral candidate under Team Gugma Sulong.

Mabilog, who said he made an “ultimate sacrifice” by not running for any electoral post, expressed his desire to restore the “harmony and unity” that once existed when he was mayor.

His decision not to run for mayor and his call for unity in Iloilo City align with a joint decision by Team Uswag and Team Gugma Sulong to leave the congressional and mayoralty posts unopposed in both slates.

However, Mabilog clarified that his unity campaign has exceptions, applying only to officials he believes are performing well in their roles.

“The right thing to do is to allow all elected officials who still have a remaining term to complete their three consecutive terms in office if they are doing good in their work,” Mabilog said when asked why Team Gugma Sulong fielded a candidate against Ganzon.

LOOK BACK TO 2017

In October 2017, Mabilog’s wife, Maria Victoria, accused Ganzon of damaging her husband’s reputation with former President Rodrigo Duterte.

In a Facebook post, Maria Victoria shared a photo of then-Councilor Ganzon and others having snacks with Duterte. The caption asked, “Guessing time. What do you think Jeffrey Ganzon is telling Digong about Digong’s unfair comments and misconceptions of Iloilo City?”

In 2016, Duterte accused Mabilog of being a drug protector. Fearing for his life, Mabilog left the country in August 2017 and went into self-imposed exile until his return in September 2024.

Maria Victoria later clarified that her post was not meant to suggest Ganzon provided false information to Duterte but was simply posing a question.

Ganzon denied the allegations and questioned the motives behind them. He also confirmed that the photo Maria Victoria shared was taken in March 2017.

“What do I gain by destroying the reputation of Iloilo City—a city where I and my siblings were born, grew up, raised our families, where my father built his legacy, and where I intend to live the rest of my life?” Ganzon asked.

He also clarified that, before meeting with Duterte, they were instructed not to mention the names of Mabilog or then-Senator Franklin Drilon.