CA reverses ruling on Mabilog’s dismissal

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — The Court of Appeals (CA) has dismissed an administrative complaint filed against former mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of this city in connection with his alleged unexplained wealth, which was the basis for his removal from office in 2017.

In a 24-page decision promulgated on June 11, the CA’s 19th Division granted Mabilog’s petition assailing the decision issued by the Office of the Ombudsman on Aug. 27, 2019.

The ombudsman ordered Mabilog’s dismissal for serious dishonesty for failing to explain why his assets grew from 2012 to 2013.

Mabilog declared an increase of P8.9 million in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth in 2013 from P59.4 million in 2012.

The CA sided with Mabilog’s argument that the increase in his net worth was due to his wife Marivic’s employment in Alberta, Canada, where she became vice president for finance and comptroller of a geodetic engineering firm.

Mabilog asserted that his family was well-off even before he joined public office.

”Always stand with the truth and the truth will set you free,” Mabilog posted on Facebook yesterday, apparently referring to the dismissal of the case.

Mabilog, whom President Duterte accused of protecting drug lords, did not return to the country after attending a disaster management summit in Japan and an urban environment accords forum in Malaysia in 2017. His wife and children also left the country.