DILG serves dismissal order on Iloilo City mayor Jed Mabilog

The dismissal order against Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has been served.

According to Super Radyo dzBB's Rudjie Sucaldito's report, it was Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) regional director Attorney Anthony Loida who served the order from the Office of the Ombudsman.

There was no "physical acceptance" as Mabilog was not in the country.

He left on  August 30 for an official trip to Japan and Malaysia, and filed a sick leave to seek medical treatment abroad in September.

The leave was extended to October.

Loida posted the dismissal order outside Mabilog's office.

Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III on Monday had his oath taking as he would now serve as the city mayor.

City Councilor Jeffrey Gansol, on the other hand, will take Espinosa's position.

Some local government officials expressed dismay over the serving of the dismissal order. They continue to express support for embattled Mabilog.

The Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of 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.

Mabilog was also one of the government officials President Rodrigo Duterte has tagged to illegal drugs.

Mabilog has denied the allegations against him. —Anna Felicia Bajo/NB, GMA News