Iloilo mayor files sick leave due to diabetes

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has filed a sick leave to undergo treatment for diabetes abroad.

Atty. Mark Piad, Mabilog's spokesperson, said the mayor has been on sick leave since Monday, Sept. 1, until the end of the month.

He said the mayor is suffering from Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 because of the stress he suffered.

"He needs time to heal himself," he added.

Piad said Mabilog relayed the information in a phone conversation.

The lawyer added that he also checked with the Human Resource Department (HRD) at the Iloilo City Hall and confirmed that Mabilog submitted a medical certificate last August 28.

The certificate, which was issued before he left the country, stated that Mabilog has diabetes and will be seeking treatment abroad.

Leo Elevencione, Iloilo City HRD head, said he received the application.

However, Elevencione said that according to Section 47 of the Local Government Code the sick leave application is subject to the approval from the Office of the President or the Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary.

"Marami pa naman accumulated leave credits si Mabilog na halos aabot pa ng dalawang daang araw," he added.

It is not yet clear though where Mabilog plans to undergo medical treatment for his ailment. It was earlier reported that he left for Japan to attend a seminar.

Meanwhile, Atty. Piad belied reports that Mabilog has escaped and has sought political asylum.

"This is the time for him to be able to para ano man makapahuway gamay. He is just a human being. But rest assured he will definitely come back," he said.

He added that Mabilog will be going home to Iloilo.

Mabilog was earlier tagged as one of the country's narcopolitician by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The Iloilo mayor has denied allegations that he is involved in any way the illegal drugs trade. — GMA News stringer Rudjemar Sucaldito/BAP, GMA News