President Benigno Simeon “PNoy” Aquino III mentioned exemplary public servants in his fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, including Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City.
Mabilog was in the audience when he was specifically recognized by the President together with Mayor Len Alonte of Biñan City, as ‘up and coming young politicians’ in the country.
“Mayroon rin tayong mga umaangat na bagong o mas bata sa aking pulitiko. Ayoko naman ho sabihin na napakaluma ko nang pulitiko sa pagtukoy sa mga mas bata. Mga taong tulad ni Mayor Jed Mabilog at ni Mayor Len Alonte (There are up and coming young politicians. Or at least they’re younger than I am—I don’t want to seem too much like an old politico by referring to my colleagues as young. These are the likes of Mayor Jed Mabilog and Mayor Len Alonte),” Aquino said, followed by applause from the audience.
Here’s the video clip of the mention, uploaded in Youtube by user Pinoy TV Replays:
Aside from Mabilog and Alonte, PNoy also cited Senate President Franklin Drilon, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, musicians Noel Cabangon and Ogie Alcasid , religious leaders, soldiers and policemen whom he trusts that will continue the transformation his administration has started.
Mabilog is very much deserving of the mention in SONA, as he is the only mayor in Philippines to be a finalist in the prestigious World Mayor Award 2014 organized by the City Mayors Foundation.
“Thank you very much President Noynoy Aquino (P-Noy) for the recognition! I am very humbled. I am Iloilo. PROUD TO BE FILIPINO,” Mabilog posted afterwards in his Facebook account.
“I gave [the President] a 9.5 rating after all his support for Iloilo City especially in terms of tangible projects and effective programs,” he added.
