THE Office of the Ombudsman has issued another dismissal order on Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of Iloilo City for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service from the service.
Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales also meted out accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and bar from taking the civil service examinations.
On April 8, 2014, the Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a regulation ordinance incorporating the use of a wheel towing clamp as part of its towing ordinance.
On Feb. 17, 2015, the SP approved a resolution authorizing Mabilog to sign a memorandum of agreement between the local government and 3L Towing Services for the implementation of the city’s clamping ordinance.
Under the arrangement, 70 percent of the fines collected would be given to the towing firm, while the remaining 30 percent would be the local government’s share.
The 70-30 sharing scheme for the first five years would be followed by a 65-35 sharing scheme for the next five years.
On Feb. 25, 2015 or a week later, the city council passed a resolution, confirming the memorandum.
Three days later, Mabilog wrote an urgent letter to the SP and informed the body about the suspension of the arrangement due to “some technical issues.”
However, on May 19, 2015, the 3L Towing Services proprietor, Leny Garcia, wrote Mabilog and offered to withdraw from the agreement “amidst the legal issues confronting it and submit to legal processes prescribed by laws on government bidding and procurement.”
The complainant, Plaridel Nava II, the SP chairman of the committee on transportation, accused Mabilog of actually owning the tow company and claimed the mayor had a direct financial interest in the agreement.
“Mabilog allegedly employed his [Nava’s] services to perpetuate and consummate his [Mabilog’s] illegitimate, immoral, dishonest and underground acts and transactions with private groups and corporate personalities doing or intending to do business in the city of Iloilo by using his power and influence as the chief executive of the city government,” the complaint read.
Nava said Mabilog instructed him to look for someone they could trust to stand as a dummy owner and to estimate the cost and expenditures for the proposed business venture on clamping services.
He said he regularly reported to Mabilog about the status of the business venture, adding he handed the mayor P500,000 in cash as part of his capital contribution to the business.
The mayor also reportedly expedited the release of the business and mayor’s permits of the towing company.
In October 2017, the Ombudsman ordered Mabilog’s dismissal for serious dishonesty in connection with his unlawful acquisition of wealth.
In 2015, former Iloilo provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada filed a complaint of dishonesty and grave misconduct before the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman said Mabilog failed to explain how his wealth ballooned, particularly the P8.9 million worth of additional amount he amassed from 2012 to 2013.
President Rodrigo Duterte named Mabilog as among alleged “narco-politicians,” and tagged Iloilo City as the “most shabulized” city in the country.
Meanwhile, former Misamis Oriental governor Oscar Moreno and three other officials were suspended for grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and ordered their dismissal from the service.
From October 2009 to October 2010, the province entered into several lease agreements with Equiprent Corp. for the use of heavy equipment totaling P2,963,520.
The Commission on Audit issued a special audit report finding that “the rental of heavy equipment and the disbursement for payments were irregular due to deficiencies such as lack of public bidding and the necessary documents as required under Republic Act No. 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act.” (RIO)
