Justice Secretary Boying Remulla said the surrender of ex-Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to authorities is “very timely” as the elections are nearing.

“Elections are coming in May. The filing of certificates of candidacy is in October next month. It’s very timely for him to come back and relaunch his political career,” Remulla said in a media interview on Wednesday.

Mabilog returned to the Philippines on September 10 after hiding in the United States for seven years. He fled the country in 2017 after former president Rodrigo Duterte accused him of protecting illegal drug syndicates.

The former Ilonggo mayor was placed under arrest by the National Bureau of Investigation for violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. His warrants of arrest were issued by the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division and Lapu-Lapu City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 in Cebu.

He promptly posted bail for his temporary release.