Iloilo mayor Mabilog’s camp denies report he was ousted

The camp of Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on Thursday dismissed reports that he has been removed from office following an order from the Office of the Ombudsman.

According to a Super Radyo dzBB report by Ivan Aguana, Mabilog's spokesperson, Mark Piad, said they have not received any dismissal order from the Office of the Ombudsman or the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Aguana said even the city's DILG director, Attorney Ferdinand Panes, has not received any information on the supposed dismissal order for Mabilog.

In a 13-page decision dated August 29, the Ombudsman ordered Mabilog's dismissal after finding him guilty of serious dishonesty for his failure to explain his alleged questionable wealth worth P8.9 million from 2012 to 2013.

Based on his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), Mabilog wealth grew to P68.3 million in 2013 from P59.4 million.

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte warned Mabilog that he would be "next" as he stressed that he was also going after “big fish” like slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog and Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa amid the government's war against illegal drugs.

Mabilog has been tagged by Duterte as one of the country's narcopoliticians.

The mayor has denied the allegations against him.

Last month, Mabilog filed a sick leave to undergo treatment for diabetes abroad. He has yet to return to the country. — Anna Felicia Bajo/MDM, GMA News