Mayor steps down following writ of exec

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

“Today’s pain, tomorrow’s strength.” This was the message of Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Barrameda-Rosal as she stepped down following the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) provincial office’s enforcement of a writ of execution on Thursday.

Rosal relinquished her post to Vice Mayor Bobby Cristobal after the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) ordered her one-year suspension, which the DILG executed.

Immediately after Mayor Rosal bowed out, her supporters expressed sadness, claiming the people of Legazpi and Albayanos were denied the chance to be led by what they called honest and sincere leaders of unquestionable integrity.

“Fight, Mayor. We are fighting for you and Governor Noel Rosal. We are not losing hope. The sun will rise again, and we are always waiting to shine,” said Johanna Valladolid, a barangay councilor in Barangay Banquerohan, Legazpi City.

Acting Mayor Bobby Cristobal, upon assuming office, assured the public that essential services in Legazpi would remain unaffected.

“The delivery of basic services to all Legazpeños continues, and will always remain unhampered,” Cristobal said, calling for “sobriety, cooperation, and a sense of healing” as the city moves forward.

Earlier, Mayor Rosal informed The Manila Times that she would step down and hand over the post to Vice Mayor Cristobal if a temporary restraining order was not granted by the courts.

The Office of the Ombudsman suspended Mayor Rosal for one year, while former Governor Noel Rosal was permanently disqualified from holding public office.

On September 4, 2024, Ombudsman Graft Investigation Officer Francis Bernard A. Palacio personally delivered an envelope containing the suspension orders to the Rosals’ residence.

Former Governor Noel Rosal said the Ombudsman’s decision was delivered directly to their home due to the suspension of work in Manila caused by Typhoon Enteng, instead of being sent via courier.

“Usually, the Ombudsman sends decisions through registered mail to reduce costs. However, due to the suspension of work caused by flooding, the investigator brought it personally,” he explained.

Rosal added that if the decision had been sent by registered mail, it would have taken one to two months to arrive, which might have impacted his filing for candidacy in the 2025 elections.

“The Ombudsman’s decision disqualifies me from service, and it seems like they don’t want me to run, giving Albayanos no choice in the upcoming elections,” Rosal said.

He also revealed that the DILG Bicol office sought to execute Mayor Rosal’s suspension even before the writ of execution from the Ombudsman was received.

“Despite having 10 days to file a motion for reconsideration, they are rushing to execute the suspension order. A writ of execution from the Ombudsman is necessary,” Rosal pointed out.

Board Member Vince Baltasar, an ally of the Rosals, expressed dismay at the political turmoil in Legazpi City and Albay, which he attributed to the ambition and greed of certain politicians aiming to undermine the current administration.

“Legazpi, once peaceful and progressive, is now being attacked by power-hungry individuals determined to tear down the administration that fought for good governance,” Baltasar said.

He emphasized that despite elections every three years, the Rosal administration has established stability and progress, making Legazpi a renowned destination in southern Luzon.

“If they truly want change, Albayanos should have a fair choice of candidates in the 2025 local elections,” Baltasar said. “The people deserve the right to decide, free from political maneuvering.”

Fr. Rex Paul Arjona of St. Roch Parish also urged supporters of the Rosals to “remain calm” and called on political opponents to act fairly.