CANDID MOMENT Albay Gov. Greco Lagman (left) and former Gov. Noel Rosal in a friendly chat during the press conference in Legazpi City on Thursday where Lagman announces his decision to withdraw from Albay鈥檚 gubernatorial race and back the candidacy of Rosal for the post. 鈥擬ICHAEL JAUCIAN
LEGAZPI CITY 鈥� Suspended Albay Gov. Greco 鈥淕rex鈥� Lagman has withdrawn from the 2025 gubernatorial race to support former Gov. Noel Rosal, setting the stage for a direct contest between Rosal and incumbent Rep. Joey Salceda.
At a press conference at the Oriental Hotel on Thursday, Lagman called on his supporters to rally behind Rosal, noting the need to protect Albay from leaders who, he said, 鈥渦se their positions for personal gain.鈥�
鈥淏y stepping down, I鈥檝e asked all my leaders and supporters to back Rosal. We need to unite to protect Albay from politicians who use power for personal gain,鈥� Lagman said.
The Lagman-Rosal alliance reshapes Albay鈥檚 political landscape, paving the way for a tightly contested 2025 gubernatorial race against Salceda, himself a former governor and a seasoned politician, and an economist who has held sway in both national and local political scenes.
Legal woes
Both Lagman and Rosal are currently embroiled in legal and political challenges.
Rosal, who was elected governor in May 2022, was unseated from his position after the Commission on Elections (Comelec), in November that year, nullified with finality his victory violating the Omnibus Election Code when he and wife Carmen Geraldine, distributed cash assistance to tricycle drivers and senior citizens during the election period that year.
Carmen, who was running for and eventually won as mayor of the provincial capital Legazpi City in 2022, was also disqualified along with her husband, then the city鈥檚 outgoing mayor.
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The couple鈥檚 disqualification in the 2022 elections was later affirmed by the Supreme Court.
But the Rosals legal woes did not end there.
In August this year, the Office of the Ombudsman also found Noel and Carmen guilty of administrative charges for reassigning government officers when they took office in 2022鈥擭oel as governor and Carmen as mayor of Legazpi City.
In a joint resolution dated Aug. 29, the Ombudsman ordered Carmen鈥檚 suspension from her post for one year after she was found guilty of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service. Noel was ordered dismissed from service after being found guilty of grave misconduct, oppression and two counts of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.
Additionally, the Ombudsman imposed a fine on Noel equivalent to one year鈥檚 worth of his basic salary, to be deducted from his benefits or leave credits.
Despite his dismissal, Noel filed his candidacy for governor for the 2025 elections, having obtained a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court against the Comelec resolution that disqualified Rosal from running in next year鈥檚 polls.
Lagman, who took over after Rosal鈥檚 victory was annulled, also found himself suspended by the Office of the Ombudsman on Oct. 18 this year for allegedly accepting approximately P8.16 million in payoffs from 鈥渏ueteng,鈥� an illegal numbers game, during his tenure as vice governor of Albay.
Lagman鈥檚 suspension followed a graft case filed against him related to these allegations.
鈥楽迟谤补迟别驳颈肠鈥�
According to Lagman, his decision to step down was a 鈥渟trategic move, not a concession.鈥�
鈥淭here is strength in unity. Standing with Rosal affirms that the people鈥攏ot political tricks鈥攕hould decide who leads Albay,鈥� Lagman said.
He added: 鈥淣ot everyone has Albay鈥檚 best interests at heart. What鈥檚 best for Albay transcends personal ambitions. My goal is not just to win, but for Albay to truly succeed.鈥�
According to Lagman, by withdrawing from the race, he had not given up on his dreams for Albay.
鈥淥n the contrary, I want to ensure that our vision for the province is realized through meaningful alliances with those who genuinely care for Albay鈥檚 future,鈥� he said.
Lagman described his action as 鈥渁 strategic one aimed at securing Albay鈥檚 success.鈥�
鈥淏y stepping aside, I can now focus on supporting candidates who truly have the people鈥檚 best interests at heart,鈥� he said.
Rosal expressed his gratitude for Lagman鈥檚 endorsement, describing it as a 鈥渂old decision and a supreme sacrifice.鈥�
鈥淭hat wasn鈥檛 an easy decision for him, but it shows his dedication to the people of Albay,鈥� Rosal said.
He added: 鈥淲e need real democracy to save our province from corruption.鈥�