Grex Lagman withdraws gubernatorial race, bows to support Rosal candidacy

It was a sunny day in Albay on Thursday, but tears of sadness and heavy heart with iota of hope and joy trundled over the faces of political leaders of two Albay governors after suspended governor Edcel Grecon “Grex” B. Lagman withdrew from his candidacy in a bid to save Albay from greed.

“By withdrawing, I am boosting the chances of Gov. Noel Rosal winning. By standing together with governor Rosal, we affirm the principle that only the people, not politics—should decide who governs our province,” suspended governor Edcel Grecon “Grex” Lagman said during the press conference held on Thursday at Oriental Hotel.

Lagman announced his withdrawal of candidacy for a gubernatorial race in Albay on Dec. 5, 2024. The announcement surprised the Lagman’s leaders and supporters who festively joined Lagman when he filled his certificate of candidacy.

Rosal and Lagman were kicked out from their respective posts orchestrated by their political nemesis employing the operation of law. Standing before his leaders and eldest sister, Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman, suspended governor Grex Lagman said that not everyone wants what is best for Albay.

He said that what is best for Albay is beyond its personal goals or ambitions. “My goal is not just to win but for Albay to win. By withdrawing from the race, I did not relinquish my goals and dreams for my beloved Albay.  On the contrary, I wanted to ensure that our dream for Albay will be fulfilled through meaningful alliances of people who genuinely want the best for Albay,” he said.

“My legal act serves this purpose to ensure that Albay wins. By withdrawing, I can devote more time and efforts to campaign for the people who truly have the best interests of Albay in their hearts and minds, like Mayor Krisel Lagman, former Mayor Alex Burce and other competent and trustworthy leaders,” he said.

He said that by withdrawing, he is boosting the chances of Gov. Noel Rosal of winning. Kan nagdalagan tabi ako bilang bise governador kan Albay, we made history.  Pigtiwalaan tabi ako nin dakulaon na mandato: 464,000 na boto. Gana tabi kita sa 15 na municipio, tulong siyudad asin sa gabos na 720 barangays.  Pero malinaw na an mandato ko bako sana para sa sadiri, kundi para sa probinsiya. (When I ran as vice governor of Albay, we made history. I was trusted with 464,000 margins of votes. I won in 15 municipalities and three cities and all 720 barangays. But the mandate given to me is not solely for myself, but for the province.)

“Again, let me underscore that not everyone wants the best for Albay. My overwhelming victory and the trust and confidence of the Albayanos is the force that propelled me to decide what is best for them. I was taught by my father, congressman Edcel Lagman, not only to always be a team player but also to play the game with integrity,” he said.

“I have honored the values he has taught me: it should always be country above self.  In the same way, it should be Albay above self. Leadership is the same, it’s not about personal accolades but about the collective success of the people of Albay. Let us not forget the lesson history has taught us: absolute power corrupts absolutely,” he said.

Lagman reiterated that Albay should never fall into the hands of those who use the apparatus of the state, saying that those who hold power not by the people’s choice are a manifestation of manipulation and greed.

“Albay must never fall into the hands of those who use the apparatus of the State for personal gain, those who hold power not by the people’s choice but through manipulation and greed,” he said.

He said that leadership is not like the awards and accolades but a collective success of the people of Albay. Lagman said that Governor Noel Rosal candidacy is a vindication after he and his wife Mayor Gie Rosal were removed from their office.

“He shows not to back down but to fight for the mandate that the people have given him in 2022. His overwhelming victory, my fellowmen in all cities and municipalities, is a resounding victory statement of the people that their voices cannot be silenced,” he said.

Mga tugang bako man tabi kita mga buta, bako man kita mga bungog. Aram ta kung ano ang nangyayari sa Albay. Let us save Albay, let us save our beautiful province. Ngonian, aram kona kung pano maging biktima kan mga powers that be in politics. Totoo na sabot kona ngonian ang pig-aagihan kan mag-agom na Rosal. Ini ang dakulaon na dahilan kun nata malinaw sako. Kaipuhan niatong magkasararo nganing ipaglaban ang prinsipyo asin future kan satuyang probinsiya.  (My brothers and sisters, we are not blind, we are not deaf. We know what is happening in Albay. Let us save Albay, let us save our beautiful province. Now, I know how to be a victim of the powers that be in politics. I understand how the Rosal couple and their family is going through. This is the big reason for me to work together to fight for the principle and future of our province.) he said.

“There is strength in unity. By standing together with Governor Rosal, we reaffirm the principle that only the people —not politics— should decide who governs our province. Let us preserve our democracy and ensure that Albay remains a province for its people, not for the self serving and avaricious interest of a few. My decision to withdraw is not about stepping away from my duty. I make this decision not with a heavy heart because it stems from my sincere desire to ensure that Albay’s future is in the right hands. Let us continue to protect the will of the people,”  Lagman said.

Lagman withdrawal from his candidacy was lauded by the Albayanos for his Solomonic decision.  When asked when the alliance materialized, former Gov. Noel Rosal said that it was swift and unprecedented as Mayor Krisel Lagman gave him a ring, saying that she wants to visit him.

But Rosal responded to Mayor Krisel, “No, I should be the one to visit you because I’m the man. But Mayor Krisel, according to Rosal, opted to invite him to come to The Oriental Hotel in Taysan, instead and to also invite the media.

The Lagmans along with their longtime leaders and incumbent Mayor Cenon Volante of Malilipot incumbent and aspiring board members from the first district of Albay came ahead of the Rosals and its political allies.

Ousted governor Noel Rosal and suspended Mayor Geraldine Rosal arrived separately following the invitation of Mayor Krisel Lagman to come to The Oriental Hotel for an important announcement.

Mayor Krisel said that some old guards in politics told them to unite for the people of Albay so the voice of the people will reign since the Lagmans and the Rosals have the same vision for the province of Albay.

“Some old and respected politicians in Albay like Ligao City Mayor Fernando  Gonzalez bridge as conduit for us (the Lagmans) to unify with the Rosal since we have common interest and visions for the welfare of the Albayanos,” Mayor Krisel Lagman said. 

In response, Rosal said that for the first time in his life, the move of governor Grex Lagman is a supreme sacrifice for the future of the province of Albay.

“For my 34 years in the province, Gov. Grex Lagman made a supreme sacrifice for the people of Albay. To save Albay, governor Grex Lagman made a supreme sacrifice. I admire governor Grex for his supreme sacrifice. We salute him,” Rosal said.

“Your sacrifice is not only for the family of the Lagman but also for the province of Albay. This will be my inspiration and a lesson for us all. Gov. Grex mentioned what happened to us with Mayor Gie. Just a week ago, three important persons in my life approached me. Gov, if you want to settle all your cases to be wiped out, let Mayor Geraldine ditch her candidacy,” Rosal said.

“They want to get Legazpi in a silver platter. Haloy na kaming takot. Pigtatakot pa ako. Nata, kapot na ninda ang hustisya? Ang simbag sako, dai mo pa aram gov. Kapot na ninda gabos,” Rosal narrated what they are going through. (We have been afraid and intimidated for a long time. Why do they hold justice? They answered me, you don’t know gov? They have it all.)

Rosal said that the alliance is a manifestation that there is God. Lagman’s withdrawal from the gubernatorial race a week after the Diocese of Legazpi issued an open letter calling the Albay leaders to moderate their greed. – BY RHAYDZ BARCIA