LEGAZPI CITY: Noel Rosal, who was elected Albay governor in 2022 but was ordered to vacate his post in November 2022 for violating election laws, has declared his intention to join the gubernatorial race next year.

Rosal, who won with the biggest margin of votes in the history of Albay's gubernatorial elections in 2022, told The Manila Times that he will run again in 2025 following pleas from Albayanos for his return.

"I have again to submit to the will of the people. They deserve it and I think I deserve it. When I was elected in the province, at least for the first five months, I was able to implement remarkable projects for the people of Albay. I prioritized the basic services for the Albayanos," he said.

"I have so many plans and would like to serve the bigger population but my dream was stopped," said Rosal, who served as mayor of Legazpi City before he ran for governor in 2022.

"After one year and seeing what's happening in Albay. I'm sad that there was a shortcoming. The quarry operations are massive but with smaller collections. For five months as governor, I have elevated the basic services for the Albayanos. It's an honor for me as the former mayor of Legazpi for 18 years, I was elected as governor of Albay with more than 400,000 votes."

Rosal was unseated as governor for distributing financial aid to tricycle drivers and senior citizens at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when he was the mayor of Legazpi City. The distribution, however, fell within the 45-day election ban under the Omnibus Election Code.

On Nov. 18, 2022, the Comelec en banc denied with finality the appeal of Rosal, noting that there is no reason to reverse the Sept. 19, 2022 ruling of the First Division.

On November 21, Rosal filed a petition asking the Supreme Court to issue an injunction or a status quo ante order to halt the enforcement of the Comelec decision to disqualify him from his post but failed to get a favorable response.

Rosal was considered an underdog when he defeated former governor Al Francis Bichara in 2022. This time, he is expected to run against current governor Edcel Greco "Grex" Lagman, who was first to declare his bid for the gubernatorial post a few months ago.

Lagman ran under Bichara's ticket when he won as vice governor in 2022. He was elevated as governor after Rosal was unseated.

Albay's gubernatorial race, however, will not be a one-on-one affair between Rosal and Lagman as Albay 2nd District Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente "Joey" Salceda also showed interest in running for governor.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 2025 midterm polls will begin in October 2024.

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