The Office of the Ombudsman issued a preventive suspension order against Albay Gov. Edcel Greco “Grex” Lagman, over the Php 8.16 million payola (payoff) from jueteng during his term as Vice Governor.
In a Facebook post on Friday, October 18, the Albay Governor confirmed that he received the preventive suspension order after he filed his candidacy as governor. He stressed that he will fight not for his own sake, but for the rights of Albayanos, as they are deserving of good governance.
Lagman's Statement
According to Lagman, the accusations against him have no legal basis, adding that it is a “legally flawed preventive suspension.” However, he assured that operations within the province will not be affected, as the suspension order is personal to him.
Vice Governor Glenda Ong Bongao will assume the position as Acting Governor in his stead, at the soonest possible time. Lagman said that he will be having a meeting with Bongao to brief her on what will happen.
“Rest assured that I will not be cowed into submission by the powers-that-be (I think you know who these people are). Talagang “perfect timing” ang mga ganid. Ganyan talaga ang mga insecure at mga poderoso na ang tingin sa Albay ay “kaldero nila,” he said.
“Isang probinsiya na pagkakakitaan ng pera; at lahat ng Albayano pwede nilang bilhin. Kung pwede ‘to gawin sa isang gobernador, pwede nila gawin ito sa maliliit na tao. Ganyan sila kasama at kabalahura,” he added.
Lagman assured that they will continue serving the Alabayanos, and will have a sit-down to plan how they'll execute their game plans.
The Case Against Lagman
Although the Albay Governor did not clarify what the accusations against him were, in February this year, a case was filed against him for receiving Php 60,000 per week from jueteng operations.
Alwin Nimo, the former Barangay Chairman of Barangay Anislag in Daraga, filed the case before the Ombudsman, stating that Lagman received over Php 8 million as payola when he served as Vice Governor.
He claimed that the Governor received Php 60,000 per week, from August 2019 to June 2022, as he served as the “bagman” for jueteng operations.
Due to this, Nimo accused Lagman of graft, bribery, and the violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and the Republic AAct No. 9287, or the Act Increasing the Penalties for Illegal Numbers Game.
Lagman earlier denied the accusations by Nimo when it was first filed.
Jueteng is an illegal numbers game similar to local lottery, and is considered as a source of corruption by law, due to the high revenues generated from its operations.
