DILG-6 serves Ombudsman dismissal order vs Mabilog

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government-Region 6 yesterday noontime served the dismissal order against Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog at the Iloilo City Hall.

DILG-6 Regional Director Anthony Nuyda, and DILG-6 Legal Officer Cedrick Jaranilla, together with DILG-Iloilo City officer Ferdinand Panes, arrived at Mabilog's office, which was already swept clean of the mayor’s personal effects and properties.

As earlier assured by Mabilog's camp, the service of the order was met without fuss or any mood of resistance.

Jaranilla read the dispositive portion of the order: "Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog is found guilty of serious dishonesty relative to his unlawful acquisition of wealth. Accordingly, he is meted the penalty of dismissal from the service with cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and bar from taking civil service examinations."

"In the event that the penalty of dismissal can no longer be enforced against respondent, The penalty shall be converted into fine in the amount equivalent to his salary for one year, payable to the Office of the Ombudsman, or may be deductible from his retirement benefits, accrued leave credits or any receivable from his respective office," it continues.

Further, Jaranilla said that Mabilog is directed to stop from exercising his powers and functions as mayor, and to turn over “all properties and documents to the office of and functions to Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, who shall assume office as local chief executive of Iloilo City … (for) the unexpired portion of his term."

Lawyer Joenar Pueblo, Mabilog's counsel, received the dismissal order, but he clarified that it should have been personally received by Mabilog himself.” The DILG-6 officials however declared that it is “executory pending appeal.”

As Espinosa was already present at the time of the serving of the order, he immediately took office. He said that he would only aim for a good governance for the people of Iloilo Cit, and vowed to continue “the good things Mabilog has started.”

Meanwhile, Councilor Eduardo Peñaredondo, Mabilog's ally, said they sympathize with Mabilog. "I'm hoping what's best for himself," he added.

On Sunday, Oct. 29, Pueblo said Mabilog’s camp will readily file a petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) over the implementation of the dismissal order. He said he is set to file a petition for certiorari, with the prayer for the issuance of a TRO before the Court of Appeals this week.

“But if the order can't be stopped, we couldn't do anything about. What we are asking is for them to wait until we could file a petition for a TRO," Pueblo said, and, “if the DILG would insist, they would just contest the dismissal order before the Court of Appeals, or even the Supreme Court.”

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman confirmed Mabilog's dismissal after he was found guilty of serious dishonesty for his alleged questionable wealth. President Duterte has also repeatedly accused Mabilog of being a narco-politician. (FREEMAN)