The Office of the Ombudsman has officially ordered the dismissal of Albay Governor “Grex” Lagman after finding him “guilty of grave misconduct” for receiving protection money from “jueteng” operations.
In a 15-page decision released January 28, 2025, publicized on Tuesday April 29, the Ombudsman concluded that Lagman received a total of P8.1 million in illegal payoffs from the jueteng operators in the Bicol region between 2019 and 2022.
“Allegedly, sometime in 2019, respondent sought the complainant's help in securing contact with the financier of jueteng operating in their locality... Respondent asked that, in exchange for protection, he would receive his regular "payola" and that the complainant would act as his conduit or "bag man,” the decision read.
The case stemmed from a complaint filed in February last year by Barangay Chairman Alwin Nimo of Albay, a self-confessed coordinator for jueteng financiers or also known as “bangkero.”
In his sworn affidavit, Nimo admitted he was personally tasked with depositing P60,000 "weekly protection money" into Lagman’s bank account while the latter was still serving as vice governor.
“This Office finds that respondent had been animated by a corrupt motive to benefit from illegal gambling,” the ruling read.
The Ombudsman said it found the evidence presented by the complainant to be credible and compelling, particularly the bank transaction receipts which were submitted to support the allegations of regular cash deposits made to the governor’s account.
Prior to this dismissal, Lagman had already served a six-month preventive suspension over the same charges.
However, shortly after his return to office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) enforced the Ombudsman’s dismissal order.
Lagman denied the allegation that he received any payola from jueteng when he served as vice governor.
Meanwhile, the charges of dishonesty and neglect of duty against Lagman were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
