ILOILO CITY – A Commission on Audit report resurfaced on the almost P41-million disallowance during the term of former Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog of this city, three months after returning to the country from a long exile in the United States.
A COA annual report for 2014 found a P39.7-million disallowance for the purchase of a landfill compactor. “It was disallowed in audit due to lack of proper documentation,” the COA said.
FORMER Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog with Rep. Julienne ‘JamJam’ Baronda during his homecoming to the city after seven years of exile. (Tara Yap)
Another is the more than P1-million disallowance for a 2013 transaction where a contractor of the Iloilo City government was not charged with withholding tax.
Lawyer Noel Palomado, a former COA legal officer, said that Mabilog can still be held accountable. Mabilog still faces a case before the Sandiganbayan for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Mabilog returned seven years after he left as he and his family were tagged by former President Rodrigo Duterte as an alleged drug protector in 2017.
The former city chief executive said he returned to clear his name and not return to politics.
Mabilog tried to dabble in politics here as he aligned himself with Iloilo City Rep. Julienne “Jamjam” Baronda. However, Mabilog was unable to run for mayor as he has a case with a perpetual disqualification penalty.
Mabilog has been a staunch critic of Mayor Jerry Treñas, his former political ally.