Another graft case filed vs Iloilo City mayor

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  –Another graft case was filed yesterday against Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of this city in connection with the disbursement of government funds to a company allegedly owned by his brother.

In a six-page complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas, former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada said Mabilog made it appear that the money was used for an English-language proficiency program for public school teachers.

Mejorada said the mayor used his Journey toward English Development for Mentors program to disburse at least P435,000 to the Victory Educational Services Inc. (VESI) when he was vice mayor.

He cited Mabilog’s testimony, wherein the mayor allegedly admitted that VESI was owned by his brother, Jeffrey Christian Mabilog.

Mejorada believes Jeffrey Christian was Mabilog’s dummy.

“It is a clear case of conflict of interest punishable under Republic Act 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act,” he said.

Aside from criminal charges, an administrative case was filed against the mayor for alleged dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the public service.

Last year, Mejorada accused Mabilog of amassing unexplained wealth.

Mejorada earlier linked Senate President Franklin Drilon, several Cabinet secretaries and public works and highways officials to the alleged anomalous construction of the Iloilo Convention Center.