Albay Gov. Noel Rosal addresses a crowd at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City on Thursday (Oct. 20) to deliver his report on the first 100 days of his administration. (Contributed photo)
LEGAZPI CITY—Gov. Noel Rosal of Albay province addressed the public on Thursday (Oct. 20) to deliver a speech on his first 100 days in office despite a disqualification order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In the past, Rosal had sworn to continue with his duties while appealing the Comelec verdict, but he did not address his removal from office in his address.
Speaking at the Albay Astrodome, Rosal said that throughout his first 100 days in office, he had made improving the health, nutrition, and wellness of the people of Albay his top priority.
He said the provincial government had earmarked P67 million of the supplemental budget for medicine, hospital operations, and hiring doctors and nurses.
According to the governor, the provincial government has also increased the salaries of health personnel and nurses in the provincial government hospital.
“We are also strictly monitoring the ongoing construction and renovation of Batan District Hospital in Rapu-Rapiu town, Josefina Belmonte Duran Memorial District Hospital in Ligao City and Pio Duran District Hospital in Pio Duran town,” Rosal added.
Bishop Joel Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi City had expressed his support for Rosal and the governor’s wife, Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal.
The Comelec had disqualified the Rosal couple for allegedly violating a ban on government spending during the campaign period for the May 2022 polls.
Baylon said they sought “justice” for the governor amid the disqualification case, adding that Rosal has “done so much for his constituents.”
At least 18,000 supporters of the couple also trooped to the Albay capitol grounds recently to rally behind the couple.