Ako Bicol fields five candidates in Albay

By Manly M. Ugalde

The AKO Bicol (AKB) Partylist is fielding five candidates for key positions in Albay alone, according to sources.

Founded in 2011 by businessman Rizaldy Co from Legazpi City, AKO Bicol first entered Congress in 2013 with two representatives: Christopher Co as the first nominee and lawyer Rodel Batocabe as the second. Since then, AKB has consistently won seats in national elections, bolstered by strong voter support.

Congressman Co, currently chairing the influential Appropriations Committee, recently made headlines during budget hearings by highlighting the substantial confidential fund allocations for Vice President Sara Duterte in her role as Secretary of the Department of Education and Culture.

In the 17th Congress elections of 2016, AKB earned three seats by securing 1.6 million votes. The nominees included Rodel Batocabe as the first nominee, Christopher Co as the second, and Ronald Ang as the third. Batocabe’s tenure was tragically cut short when he was assassinated in January 2019, an incident allegedly orchestrated by a sitting mayor, who was later arrested and charged.

During the 18th Congress elections in 2020, Zaldy Co joined Congress as the second nominee, with Alfredo Garbin as the first. In the 19th Congress elections of 2022, Co advanced to the first nominee position, and lawyer Raul Angelo Jil Bongalon became the second nominee.

A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that AKO Bicol recently won a legal challenge to disqualify a prominent governor and a city mayor elected in 2022. Additionally, the source noted the recent suspension of the incumbent governor over corruption charges.

The source further disclosed that five prominent AKB-aligned figures have registered as candidates for the 2025 midterm elections. These include former AKB Congressman Christopher “Kito” Co for Albay’s 2nd District, current Congressman Raul Angelo Jil Bongalon for the 1st District, Hisham Ismael for mayor of Legazpi City, former board member Rey Bragais for mayor of Tabaco City, and Farida Co, sister of Congressman Co and an ally within AKB. Notably, Hisham Ismael, who currently serves as a barangay chairman and the president of both the Legazpi and provincial Barangay Councils League, is also the brother-in-law of ex-Congressman Garbin.

Congressman Co has expressed AKB’s support for Representative Joey Salceda’s bid for the governorship, commending Salceda’s proven track record and effectiveness.

Comelec records show Joey Sarte Salceda, former Governor Noel Rosal, and Governor Grex Lagman as candidates for the governorship. Former Governor Rosal was disqualified by the Comelec three months after the May 2022 election due to a violation of the election ban on public assistance distribution as Legazpi mayor. His wife, elected city mayor, was similarly disqualified. The Supreme Court recently upheld these disqualifications, although it did not impose a perpetual ban from public office.

Following this ruling, former AKB Congressman Alfredo Garbin, who contested the May 2022 mayoral election in Legazpi, was declared the rightful winner. On Monday, November 11, the Comelec officially proclaimed Garbin as Legazpi City mayor and annulled the prior proclamation of Mayor Geraldine Rosal.

Governor Grex Lagman’s recent suspension by the Office of the Ombudsman does not bar him from seeking public office, as the suspension was linked to a complaint from self-identified gambling operator Alwyn Nimo.