Mabilog posts 1st family photo
ILOILO CITY — Following his dismissal from public service, embattled former Iloilo City mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog has not shied away from the public eyes.
He is deemed active on social networking site Facebook by sharing posts that affect Ilonggos, and so are achievements done by his then constituents.
But Mabilog, considered as President Rodrigo Duterte most-talked about mayor, did not post any recent photograph of himself. Not until on Christmas Eve where he posted a photo of himself, his wife Ma. Victoria, and their two children over his personal FB account.
His post reads, "From our hearts to your homes, we bring the Christmas message of joy and not fear; redemption and not condemnation; truth and not lies; peace and not hatred."
"May each one of you receive the gift of discernment that Jesus is the reason for the season and that the obedience and faith of Mary and Joseph made our redemption possible. Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas, everyone. Give and receive the gift of love."
The post has gained 3,400 reactions and likes and got 400 shares. But it was not known where the picture was taken although netizens assumed that the Mabilog family is still abroad and chose not to go home citing their safety and security.
The former mayor was last seen publicly in Iloilo late of August 2017 before his Japan conference on disaster management that ran from August 31 to September 4. He then went straight to Malaysia for an official trip, which has an inclusive date of September 7-9.
Reports then came in that Duterte ordered the wiretapping of Mabilog and slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog. Claiming safety of his family as his primordial reason, Mabilog filed for sick leave from September 11 to September 30. He then extended his leave for another 30 days.
On October 26, his legal counsels confirmed the Ombudsman order for his dismissal, but said they would contest the dismissal order. A few days later, or on November 3, however the Court of Appeals's Special First Division upheld the dismissal.
The magistrates noted that Mabilog could have based his petition on Rule 43 of the Rules of Court. This rule on scope allows an appellant to question a ruling by the Office of the Ombudsman. Instead, Mabilog and his legal team cited Rule 65 used to question lower court orders and government action before the Supreme Court.
On October 6, Mabilog was ordered dismissed by the Ombudsman in a case filed by former Iloilo Provincial administrator Manuel Mejorada three years ago.
Mabilog was found guilty of serious dishonesty over his alleged unexplained wealth but the charge for for grave misconduct was dismissed for lack of sufficient evidence.