New Albay governor, vice governor assume post

LEGAZPI CITY MANILA, Philippines — Vice Gov. Grex Lagman took his oath as new governor of Albay yesterday.

Board member Glenda Ong-Bongao assumed office as the new vice governor.

Lagman was sworn in at the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office after supporters of disqualified governor Noel Rosal barricaded the premises of the provincial capitol, preventing entry into the office of the governor.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government  implemented a writ of execution issued by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc, which disqualified Albay Gov. Noel Rosal for violating the 45-day public spending ban in the May elections.

Rosal was accused of distributing cash assistance to tricycle drivers and senior citizens on March 31 and April 2 last year.

Rosal’s camp had been waiting for a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court, which was not issued until Lagman’s oathtaking.

Rosal’s wife, Geraldine, who was elected mayor of  Legazpi City, was disqualified by the Comelec over the same election offense.