Vice Mayor Jose Espinosa III, the acting mayor since Mabilog left the country on Aug. 30, was sworn in as mayor to serve the remainder of Mabilog’s term until 2019. He said Mabilog wanted a peaceful and orderly implementation of the Ombudsman order if there was no court order to stop it. Espinosa and city administrator Hernando Galvez said it was “business as usual” at City Hall despite Mabilog’s dismissal. “Since last week [when they heard about the news of Mabilog’s dismissal], many [employees] have been crying,” he said. Mabilog served as city councilor from 2004 to 2007, and vice mayor from 2007 to 2010.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 30, 2017 21:11 UTC