While attending the highlights of the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City over the weekend, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said there are plans in the works to have dismissed Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog extradited back to the Philippines.

The former mayor, who has been out of the country since August 2017, is believed to be in Canada with his wife, who is a Canadian citizen.

Back in October 2017, 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.

The former mayor left the country a day before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted an inspection of his waterfront home, which overlooks the Iloilo River.

Also in October, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Mabilog on the grounds of “serious dishonesty” and “unlawful acquisition of wealth.”

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.

Earlier this month, he was dismissed again after the Ombudsman released a decision that found the former city official guilty of grave misconduct in connection with a deal made with 3L Towing Services.

Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III assumed full mayoral powers last October./WDJ