Albay politics heats up with strong accusations

By Jason B. Neola with BM Reportorial Staff

THE political stage in Albay has never been short of intrigue, but the recent declarations of Legazpi City Mayor Alfredo Garbin have set the province ablaze.

In a fiery denunciation, Garbin likened suspended Governor Edcel Grex Lagman and disqualified former Governor Noel Rosal to “wolves in sheep’s clothing,” accusing them of exploiting Albay’s trust while failing to deliver genuine progress.

He pointed to the achievements of Ako Bicol Partylist, particularly through Congressman Zaldy Co, who spearheaded initiatives addressing critical issues like healthcare, power outages, and water shortages—problems Garbin claimed had long been neglected by his opponents.

Garbin’s remarks came after Lagman announced his withdrawal from the gubernatorial race to support Rosal. Lagman claimed the move was to “save Albay” from greed, but Garbin dismissed it as nothing more than political lip service. “Saving Albay is not about empty rhetoric,” Garbin retorted. “It’s about real action, programs, and projects that benefit not just Albayanos but the entire Bicol Region.”

Garbin’s critique of Rosal and Lagman delved deep into their political track records. He accused Rosal of failing to resolve Legazpi City’s water crisis over two decades of leadership, stating that Ako Bicol had to step in to initiate solutions. Meanwhile, he lambasted Lagman for alleged complicity in Albay’s notorious power struggles and jueteng payola scandals, highlighting their failure to address the province’s pressing concerns.

Rift widens

“When I opened my Bible today, it led me to Matthew 7:15-20,” Garbin said, quoting scripture. “Be careful of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. These two—claiming to save Albay—are nothing but Batman and Robin of deceit.”

The controversy around fake receipts in Albay’s quarry operations added another layer of scandal. Garbin accused Rosal and his allies of being complicit in fraudulent transactions that depleted provincial funds. “The current acting governor is left cleaning up the mess, dismantling task forces riddled with corruption,” he claimed.

Garbin was equally scathing about Lagman, who served briefly as governor after Rosal’s disqualification but faced suspension due to jueteng-related allegations. “Their battle cry to ‘save Albay’ rings hollow. It’s all lip service,” Garbin concluded.

Lagman, for his part, accused his former allies of weaponizing state apparatus for personal gain. “Albay must never fall into the hands of those who manipulate and greedily exploit their power,” he said, alluding to Rosal’s alleged vote-buying scandal during the 2022 elections.

However, Garbin was quick to point out the irony. “Lagman talks about greed and manipulation, yet his own actions have shown the same pattern. The people deserve leaders who deliver results, not empty promises.”

At crossroads

Albay stands at a critical juncture. With Rosal disqualified, Lagman suspended, and Garbin fiercely advocating for change, the province’s political landscape remains uncertain. The Ako Bicol Partylist, with its promise of tangible progress, seeks to fill the void left by years of alleged mismanagement.

As the dust settles, one question lingers: will Albayanos choose action over rhetoric, or will the province remain ensnared in the web of political theatrics?