Embattled Albay gov awaits SC decision

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

AS the Ombudsman ruled against ousted Albay governor-elect Noel Rosal, imposing a perpetual disqualification from public office, Rosal stated that he will rely on the Supreme Court’s decision as the final arbiter of the law.

Rosal told Bicol Mail in an interview that he would await the Supreme Court’s ruling, claiming that the Ombudsman’s decision is not yet final and is purely an act of harassment.

“I rest my case with the Supreme Court. I am facing numerous charges, including criminal cases intended to put me behind bars. Why are they so eager to go after me, just because the people continue to rally behind me even after my ouster?” he said to Bicol Mail.

The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) dismissed governor-elect Noel Rosal from service on September 4, 2024, and permanently banned him from holding any public office. Meanwhile, his wife, Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal, was suspended from office for one year.

“Yesterday, September 4, 2024, we were personally served with copies of the Ombudsman’s joint resolution in the cases filed against us by Adrian Loterte,” Rosal said in a statement released on Thursday afternoon.

“These cases, as you all may know by now, mostly pertain to the secondment of Engr. Clemente Ibo to the position of assistant provincial engineer in the province of Albay,” he explained.

Upon receiving the joint resolution, we decided to remain silent because, from the beginning, we have believed that the merits of the cases should not be discussed in public until they are decided with finality by the Supreme Court, thereby forming part of the law of the land, he added.

“However, just today, the Office of the Ombudsman released a statement regarding the above-mentioned case. To prevent the public from being misled, we are issuing this official statement. Yes, the joint resolution imposed penalties of suspension and dismissal,” he acknowledged.

“However, these penalties have not yet attained finality. They are not yet executory. We still have legal remedies available, which we shall pursue if necessary. Right now, the battle is far from over. Contrary to what some media outlets may suggest, we have done nothing illegal, irregular, or unconstitutional, and we will fight this to the very end,” Rosal emphasized.

In 2016, the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed Resolution No. 14-0020-2016, declaring Adrian Loterte persona non grata for his malicious and defamatory allegations against then-Mayor Noel Rosal.

Adrian Loterte, a local broadcaster, had accused then-Mayor Rosal of being a drug protector. The Sangguniang Panlungsod condemned Loterte for not adhering to ethical standards in journalism.

In the council’s resolution, it stated that journalists have an obligation to provide accurate and reliable information through comprehensive research and verification. However, Loterte, a local media personality, made insinuations without adequate research, intending to cause harm and with reckless disregard for the truth.

“The allegations made against the city mayor as a drug protector have adversely affected the city’s reputation and its progress. This august body believes that there is a need to put an end to this kind of smear campaign. Therefore, this resolution declares Adrian Loterte persona non grata in the city of Legazpi for his malicious and defamatory allegations against the city mayor,” the resolution stated.

“His baseless and malicious allegations have caused distress not only to Mayor Rosal’s family but also to the city, which aims to be one of the top tourism destinations in Luzon,” it added.

The Ombudsman’s decision against Noel Rosal has been widely contested by Albayanos across the province, including on social media.

A possible people power movement is being prepared by Rosal’s supporters. However, Rosal has urged them to remain calm. Following the Ombudsman’s decision, people from all walks of life are closely watching the Supreme Court’s final verdict, hoping for fair justice for the embattled Rosal family in Albay.