The Office of the Ombudsman released a dismissal order yesterday for Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog on grounds of “serious dishonesty” and “unlawful acquisition of wealth.”

The mayor, who has been out of the country since the end of August, was also penalized with perpetual disqualification, making ineligible to seek public office in the future.

In the span of one year, the Ombudsman found Mabilog’s wealth increased by around P8.9 million, citing his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) for 2012 quoting assets of P59.35 million, which increased to P68.34 million the following year.

“This is grossly disproportionate to his legitimate income as a public official and businessman,” the Ombudsman decided.

Mabilog previously claimed the increases were from business income and his wife’s salary, who works as a comptroller in Canada.

Both items, however, the Ombudsman noted, were not indicated in his SALN.

The complaint was originally filed by former Iloilo Provincial Administrator Manuel Mejorada.

Earlier this month, after stating Mabilog would return to Iloilo City at the end of September, 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 forum in Japan and attended a 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