Mabilog’s dismissal draws sadness from foes, allies

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — Allies and even those on the other side of the political fence expressed despondence over the order of the Office of the Ombudsman dismissing Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog.

Councilor Plaridel Nava, who had a widely-publicized falling out with Mabilog, said he is saddened by the the latter's dismissal. "I am saddened even if I had my own shares of conflict and fights with Mayor Mabilog. But I cannot disregard the fact that I also care for the mayor," he said.

While theirs were tainted with publicized bickering, Nava noted that he saw Mabilog's heart. "I am sad because I believed Iloilo City is on the right track. You may be his friend or foe but you cannot disregard the development that the city had gone through under his leadership as a mayor," said the councilor.

But Nava, whose rift with Mabilog had been talked about, said he is in no position to help him. He added that there are other politicians who are corrupt and had their shares of culpability we but still remain in government service.

Councilor Joshua Alim said he was also saddened by the Ombudsman's decision to perpetually disqualify Mabilog from office. Alim, who is a lawyer, said that Mabilog would surely seek all possible legal remedies to counter the dismissal order, or it would mean the end of his political career.

City Administrator Hernando Galvez, who Mabilog appointed to office in July last year, said he was alarmed and saddened. “As a lawyer you will always be looking at the legal process to know what will happen next,” he said.

Jeck Conlu, head of the Public Safety and Transportation Management Office, said he is a saddened after learning of the Ombudsman decision, but he is optimistic that the mayor's legal team is ready to answer the allegations and elevate the case to the court concerned.

Former Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada, Mabilog's accuser, said the decision was a vindication on his part, but he was saddened because the penalty was the harshest under the law.

Amid all these, acting Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III's reaction seemed to have displayed a different reaction over Mabilog's fate. He said he is devoid of any feelings because he has no knowledge of Mabilog's case.

Espinosa III, who has been running the city since September 2017, is neither sympathetic nor joyful. He justified his “neutral reaction” to his lack of knowledge on the case. "I have no comment on that. Ihave yet to officially receive [the decision], he added.

On Thursday, October 26, Mabilog was ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman in a case filed by Mejorada three years ago.

Mabilog was found guilty of serious dishonesty over his alleged unexplained wealth, but the charge grave misconduct was dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence. (FREEMAN)