Mabilog City Hall appointees retained

ILOILO CITY – Two top City Hall appointees of dismissed mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog have retained their positions. Newly-installed Mayor Jose III Espinosa decided to keep Hernando Galvez as city administrator and Lorna Laurea as city legal officer.

While Galvez and Laurea hold co-terminus positions, Espinosa said they are also department heads.

Espinosa expressed trust and confidence on Galvez, whom Mabilog appointed in July, 2016.

Galvez, who has worked at city hall since 2000, has been known for strictly implementing policies. He has also kept city hall employees in check, especially after several scandals involving employees last year.

Espinosa has created a committee to review Mabilog appointees. Mabilog has long been criticized for appointing 16 executive assistants, some of whom have redundant functions with organic departments of the city government.

Mabilog was stripped of his duties as mayor last October 30 after he was ordered dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman for unexplained wealth.

Mabilog, who has been out of the country since late August, has been at the receiving end of verbal tirades from President Duterte, who has labeled the mayor as a protector of drug syndicates.

Mabilog’s family has also left the country.