Former Iloilo City Mayor and now Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Public Safety Jed Patrick Mabilog drew criticism after politicizing the national government’s Rice Program, a program being implemented through local government units (LGUs).

Anilao, Iloilo Mayor Ma. Teresa Formacion-Debuque, who is also the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Iloilo Chapter Vice President, criticized Mabilog over his “politicized” response during their meeting at the airport.

According to Debuque, she chanced upon Mabilog, who served as Iloilo City mayor from 2010 to 2017, and decided to raise her concerns regarding the guidelines and policies of the Rice Program.

However, Debuque said she was surprised by Mabilog’s response, saying it was far from what she expected.

“When I approached him, I said, ‘Usec (Mabilog), I’m not asking for any project from you, but it’s good that you are now at the DILG. I just want to convey to you, please look into the guidelines and policies being downloaded by the DILG to LGUs, particularly the Rice Program. It seems unresponsive,’” Debuque recalled.

She said Mabilog repeatedly replied, “Gugma ako, hindi ako Rise”, apparently referring to Iloilo City’s tagline “Rise Iloilo.”

When she clarified to Mabilog that she was referring to the Rice Program, Debuque said the former mayor again responded with the phrase, “Gugma ako, hindi ako Rise.”

It was only later that Debuque realized Mabilog was referring to Iloilo City’s tagline. During the 2025 elections, Mabilog supported Team Sulong Gugma, led by Iloilo City Lone District Representative Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda.

To recall, Mabilog abandoned his post and left the country in 2017 after he was linked by former President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade and to slain drug lord Melvin “Dragon” Odicta.

Duterte also labeled Iloilo City as the most “shabulized” city in the country during Mabilog’s term.

While hiding abroad, Mabilog was ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017 for serious dishonesty after failing to explain alleged questionable wealth amounting to P8.9 million from 2012 to 2013.

Although he later received executive clemency from Malacañang covering the administrative penalties in the case, Mabilog still faces graft charges before the Sandiganbayan over the awarding of a government contract to a towing services firm in which he allegedly had an interest.

Upon returning to the country after Duterte’s term ended, Mabilog posted a P90,000 bail for his temporary liberty.