Ex-Albay governor sacked; mayor wife suspended

Over alleged illegal appointments

MANILA, Philippines —  The Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed former Albay governor Noel Rosal and suspended his wife, Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Rosal, for allegedly appointing and reassigning several employees after the May 2022 elections.

In a 22-page resolution signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Aug. 20, the anti-graft body found Noel guilty of grave misconduct, oppression and two counts of conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Meanwhile, Carmen was suspended for one year for conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

But since Noel is no longer in office, the ombudsman said the dismissal would be converted into a fine equivalent to his basic salary for 12 months, which may be deducted from his retirement benefits, accrued leave credits or any of his receivables from the government.

Noel won during the May 2022 elections, but the Commission on Elections disqualified him for violating the 45-day spending ban imposed during the campaign period.

His disqualification case is under appeal before the Supreme Court.

The ombudsman, on the other hand, dismissed the charges filed against Albay assistant provincial engineer Clemente Ibo for lack of merit.

The dismissal and suspension of the Rosals stemmed from a complaint filed in November 2022 by Adrian Loterte, who alleged that the governor, upon assuming office, transferred three officers of the provincial capitol without justification.

Loterte said the Rosal couple appointed Ibo as officer-in-charge (OIC) of the provincial engineer’s office and chairman of the bids and awards committee (BAC).

The complainant said the couple’s actions violated the implementing rules and regulations of the Government Procurement Reform Act.

The law states that the BAC chairman must be at least a third ranking permanent official of the procuring entity, which Ibo was not.

The ombudsman said Ibo could not be held liable for administrative charges as there was no evidence showing he was a “voluntary participant” in the action of the Rosals.

Ibo was the city engineer of Legazpi when the Rosals designated him OIC of the provincial engineer’s office without prior approval from the city and provincial councils.

“The acts of Rosal and Carmen prejudiced the delivery of public service in Legazpi and Albay, because Ibo simultaneously performed as city and OIC provincial engineer,” the ombudsman said.