Ombudsman orders dismissal of Mabilog for questionable wealth increase

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog after finding him guilty of serious dishonesty for his failure to explain his alleged questionable wealth worth P8.9 million from 2012 to 2013.

In a 13-page decision dated August 29, the Ombudsman also meted the accessory penalties of cancellation of civil service eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification from holding office.

The complainant, Manuel Mejorada, had accused Mabilog of irregularly accumulating P8.9 million, as declared from his 2012 and 2013 statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), saying his income as a public official and businessman cannot justify the increase.

Based in his SALNs, the net worth of Mabilog grew to P68.3 million in 2013 from P59.4 million.

Mabilog had argued that the increase in his net worth was largely due to the income of his wife, who serves as a comptroller in Canada, and other investments.

The Ombudsman, however, said Mabilog failed to present evidence pertaining to his wife's income and his investments despite opportunities given to him to explain the matter.

"Despite opportunities given to respondent to rebut complainant's assertion of unlawful wealth, he still failed to sufficiently explain/answer how he was able to acquire properties, the amounts of which are manifestly out of proportion to his salaries and other lawful income; thus, there is prima facie evidence of unexplained wealth," the ruling said.

The anti-graft body added that Mabilog's failure to present proof shows his "malicious intent" to hide the true source of his income.

"Simply, his failure to properly account or explain his sources of income establishes the presence of malicious intent to conceal the truth, causing grave prejudice to the government," Ombudsman said.

"Hence, respondent is found guilty of serious dishonesty and meted the supreme penalty of dismissal from the service," it added.

Graft investigation and prosecution officer Rachel Cariage-Favila penned resolution which was approved by Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang on October 6.

Mabilog's spokesperson, lawyer Mark Piad, told GMA News Online that their camp "will pursue all legal remedies available to us."

Alleged links to drug trade

President Rodrigo Duterte revealed last year that Mabilog, who is on leave to undergo treatment for diabetes abroad, was on his "narco list" of politicians involved in the illegal drug trade. 

He has since denied the accusations of Duterte.

On Wednesday, Duterte warned Mabilog that he would be "next" as he stressed that he was also going after “big fish” narco politicians like slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa.

“The Mayor of Iloilo City, I identified him, this is broadcasted nationwide, I said, ‘You’re next. You’re next,’” he said at an event attended by legal luminaries in the ASEAN region in Malacañang. —KG/RSJ, GMA News