ILOILO CITY -- lloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is now barred from serving in government following his dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman, which found him “guilty of serious dishonesty relative to his unlawful acquisition of wealth.”
The order approved by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang on Oct. 6, 2017 came with the cancellation of Mabilog’s civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and prohibition from taking civil service examinations.
The dismissal stemmed from the complaint filed by former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada for dishonesty and grave misconduct in 2013.
Mejorada alleged that Mabilog has unexplained wealth as evidenced by an increase of more than PHP8 million in his 2013 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) compared with his assets in 2012.
He also questioned the financial interests of the mayor in Mega Pacific Food Services, Inc., Iloilo One Esplanade Realty, Iloilo Happy Donuts and Global Jami Motors Corporation and the appointment of Patrick Allan Sy as executive assistant for dengue concerns even if the latter is not a nurse or doctor. Sy is the business partner of Mabilog in the above-cited businesses.
The Ombudsman dismissed for “want of sufficient evidence” complaints on the appointment of Sy and his business venture on Iloilo One Esplanade Realty.
The Ombudsman said Mabilog “failed to sufficiently explain/answer how he was able to acquire properties, of which amount are manifestly out of proportion to his salaries and other lawful income.”
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was ordered to serve the order.
Lawyer Mark Piad, spokesman of Mabilog, in a text message said that they would “avail of all legal remedies available to us” although he had not yet received a copy of the order.
“We’ll seek TRO (temporary restraining order) from Court of Appeals,” he said.
City administrator, lawyer Hernando Galvez, on the other hand, said that he was “alarmed and saddened” with what happened.
“Ilonggos are brave and prepared to whatever eventualities. I am certain that Ilonggos know the law and there will always be a process,” he added.
Mejorada, meanwhile, said that he felt “vindicated” with the decision of the Ombudsman. He said, however, that he was also saddened because Mabilog had done a lot of good things for Iloilo City and many Ilonggos love him. (PNA)
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