Former Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on Monday recollected years of what he called “exile” after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr. granted him executive clemency on administrative penalties.

“My 7 years of exile taught me very beautiful lessons, but foremost among them is this: to build and rebuild the community, we need love and integrity. My family is beyond happy,” Mabilog said in a statement.

The politician thanked Marcos for lifting sanctions against him, such as dismissal from government service with accessory penalties and a bar on re-employment.

“I am personally grateful to God and Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for granting me this executive clemency. This serves not just as a vindication for the wrongful and deceitful cases filed against me but as the triumph of justice in this country,” he said in a statement.

Mabilog hailed Marcos’ kind of leadership — committed to fairness and justice.

“This administration upholds justice, which people like me, who are unjustly accused, can somehow be confident to avail themselves of vindication,” he said.