Team DailyPedia
Anilao Mayor Ma. Teresa Formacion-Debuque has criticized Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary for Public Safety Jed Patrick Mabilog over what she described as a politicized response when she attempted to raise concerns about the national government’s Rice Program.
Debuque, who also serves as vice president of the Iloilo chapter of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP), said she encountered Mabilog at an airport and took the opportunity to discuss issues regarding the implementation of the Rice Program, which is being rolled out through local government units nationwide.
According to Debuque, she approached the former Iloilo City mayor to convey concerns about the program’s guidelines and policies.
“When I approached him, I said, ‘Usec, 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,’” she recalled.
However, Debuque said she was surprised when Mabilog allegedly responded by repeatedly saying, “Gugma ako, hindi ako Rise.”
Initially confused by the remark, she clarified that she was referring to the Rice Program. According to Debuque, Mabilog again replied with the same phrase.
She later interpreted the statement as a reference to “Rise Iloilo,” a political slogan associated with Iloilo City politics. During the 2025 elections, Mabilog supported Team Sulong Gugma, led by Julienne Baronda.
Debuque argued that the response shifted attention away from the concerns she intended to raise regarding the implementation of the government program.
Mabilog has yet to publicly respond to Debuque’s criticism as of this writing.
Mabilog served as mayor of Iloilo City from 2010 to 2017. He left the country in 2017 after being publicly linked by former President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade and to slain alleged drug lord Melvin “Dragon” Odicta. Duterte also described Iloilo City as the country’s most “shabulized” city during Mabilog’s administration.
While overseas, Mabilog was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman in 2017 for serious dishonesty after failing to satisfactorily explain alleged unexplained wealth amounting to ₱8.9 million between 2012 and 2013.
He later received executive clemency covering the administrative penalties imposed in the case. However, graft charges related to the alleged awarding of a government towing services contract remain pending before the Sandiganbayan.
Following his return to the Philippines after the end of Duterte’s presidency, Mabilog posted bail amounting to ₱90,000 in connection with the pending case and was granted temporary liberty.
The controversy comes amid ongoing discussions among local government officials regarding the implementation and effectiveness of national government programs at the local level.
