The Office of the Ombudsman-Region VI (OMB-6) affirmed there is no dismissal order against Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, who has been out of the country since the end of August.

Rumors have circulated claiming Mabilog was dismissed and perpetually disqualified from holding office, in addition to claims former Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada filed a complaint calling for the mayor to be dismissed.

Mejorada previously accused Mabilog of unexplained wealth. He had also previously been found guilty on four counts of libel for maligning Senator Franklin Drilon via his blog and social media posts.

Earlier this month, after stating Mabilog would return to Iloilo City at the end of September, following a sick leave that was initiated on September 11, which immediately followed two consecutive trips overseas, spokesperson for the mayor, Atty. Mark Piad, said the city official’s sick leave would be extended another 30 days.

Prior to announcing his sick leave, it was revealed the mayor served as speaker at a disaster-risk reduction forum in Japan and attended the Environmental Urban Accord Summit in Malaysia. Incidentally, the mayor left the country the day before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an inspection of his waterfront home, which overlooks the Iloilo River.

Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III has since assumed full mayoral powers over the city./WDJ