Ombudsman dismisses ex-Albay gov, bars from holding any public post

MANILA, Philippines —  Former Albay Governor Noel Rosal has been dismissed from service and permanently barred from holding any public office, the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) announced on Wednesday.

His wife, Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal, has also been suspended from service for one year.

READ: Comelec orders Albay Gov. Noel Rosal to vacate post amid disqualification

The OMB explained that the decision followed a 2022 complaint by a certain Adrian Nacion Loterte, which accused the Rosals of grave misconduct, oppression, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The former governor’s reassignment of several department heads violated Civil Service Commission rules, affecting the Provincial Government’s operations and service delivery, the OMB said.

READ: Supporters rally behind embattled Rosal couple in Albay following disqualification

Geraldine, on the other hand, was also held liable for the illegal secondment of Legazpi City Engineer Clemente Ibo to the Provincial Government.

This arrangement, allegedly orchestrated with her husband, allowed Engr. Ibo to serve both local units simultaneously, prejudicing public service, said the OMB.

“The Ombudsman’s decision against Mayor Rosal is immediately executory, despite a pending Supreme Court case challenging her 2022 disqualification by the Commission on Elections,” the OMB statement read.

“This ruling underscores the Ombudsman’s commitment to upholding accountability and combating misconduct in public service,” it added.

Noel Rosal served as the governor of Albay in 2022. He was replaced by then Vice Governor Edcel Greco Lagman in the same year.