Garbin vows to unite Legazpeños and heal the wounds causing disharmony

Amid the hate, division, sadness, and distrust of the Albayanos over the integrity of the Commission and Elections, newly installed Mayor Alfredo Garbin called on the Legazpeños to unite, support and respect the decision of the Supreme Court and the Comelec en banc declaring him as duly elected mayor of Legazpi.

Clad in white polo shirt and denim pants along with his party mates and supporters of Garbin joined with him joyously as he took his seat as the new chief executive of Legazpi on Tuesday.  “After almost 3 years, this case has finally come to its rightful end. I am forever grateful to the Supreme Court for their unanimous decision of upholding the law and affirming the decision of the Comelec en Banc declaring me as the duly elected Mayor of Legazpi,” he said.

“I’m also grateful for the immediate lifting of the Status Quo Ante Order which would allow me to assume as Mayor of Legazpi City. After a long and difficult battle, I am now finally vindicated. Salamat sa saindong daing sawang suporta asin pangadye. Padagos pong magseserbi namumutan kung LEGAZPI (Thank you for your support and prayers. I will continue to serve you my dear LEGAZPI.),” Garbin said.

When asked shortly after his press briefing if how could he could unite the disharmony among the Legazpeños and heal the wounds hurting the people and the businessmen because of the political chaos, he said that the healing will take time but vowed to serve the public with good public service.

“The wounds will heal overtime. I will focus on healing through good public service. To unify our constituency, I show to them that we are through to our oath of office. Having said that we need to fulfil our obligation, serve them with utmost integrity, promotion of public welfare will always be paramount to the Legazpenos. Given the details of those programs and advocacy I want to continue with special emphasis on education tourism, promotion of health, sports and youth and development, multi-sectoral and the elderly,” he told The Manila TImes.

Garbin who lost to Mayor Geraldine Barrameda-Rosal in May 9, 2022 election took his seat by operation of law after the Supreme Court affirmed the disqualification of the former for violation of Omnibus Election Code.

Mayor Geraldine Barrameda-Rosal, a teacher and candidate for mayoral post joined with her husband then Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal, a gubernatorial candidate during the distribution of cash assistance to senior citizens and tricycle drivers as part of the pandemic aid following the Bayanihan Act and local ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

But Garbin party mate, Ako Bicol party-list political ally Joseph Armogilla who ran for city councilor but lost in the May 9, 2022 elections, filed a disqualification case against the Rosal couple. The Ako Bicol Partylist also provided all government resources as aid to the people with exemption from the Commission on Elections.

Following the violation of the Omnibus Election Code, the Rosal couple was disqualified by the Comelec en banc. The Rosal couple appealed the disqualification case before the High Court.

On October 22, 2024, the Supreme Court promulgated its decision in the consolidated cases in GR Nos. 264125, 266775, 266796 and 269274 wherein it affirmed the disqualification of Noel Rosal, Carmen Rosal, and Jose Barizo in the May 9, 2022 national and local elections for violating the Omnibus Election Code in connection with the disbursement and release of government funds during the prohibited period.

The high court ordered that the status quo ante-order issued on May 11, 2023, be lifted with immediate effect. Accordingly, the assailed Comelec Resolution dated Oct. 4, 2022 and May 14, 2023 in SPA 22-032 shall likewise immediately take effect.

Following the High Court verdict, the Comelec en banc immediately implemented the writ of execution. The Special City Board of Canvassers of Legazpi City (SPBOC) annulled the proclamation of Carmen Geraldine Rosal and proclaimed Alfredo Garbin Jr., as mayor in the 2022 elections.

The SC and Comelec ruling created further political chaos, hatred, division and questioning the integrity of the poll body.

Engr. Vergilio S. Perdigon, a retired professor of University of Santo Tomas in Legazpi is questioning the High Court ruling. “Which is the higher authority, the Supreme Court or the people? Whose decision should prevail, the SC’s or the people? We are defending not any political group but democracy in Albay!” Perdigon said over his FB post.

“They could have gotten away with murder if Rosal was disqualified before May 2022. At the time there was no sovereign will to invoke. However, Rosal’s disqualification after the people have rendered their decision amounts to subversion of the sovereign will of Albayanos. The election result rendered the accusation moot and academic because the people’s decision is always superior to that of the COMELEC or the Supreme Court,“ he said.

“They cannot argue their decision on the basis of “rule of law” because the highest law is the will of the people which COMELEC and the SC have trampled upon using a mere procedural detail requiring the Rosals to obtain permission from the election agency before giving assistance to tricycle drivers and senior citizens! Where else does procedural detail trump the people’s verdict but in Albay?” he added.

Democracy has been officially and formally murdered in Legazpi City in the guise of “rule of law”. Democracy means prevalence of people’s verdict not the flimsy excuse that a moot procedural detail was not done, he said.

“The highest law is the people’s verdict, far superior to any procedural detail. I read the SC decision on its website. I am not a lawyer but this is fact: The decision never mentions RA 10121. It mentions RA 11494. In my understanding of “supersedence” RA 10121 repeals or amends provisions of the Omnibus Election Code inconsistent with the former and RA 11494 repeals or amends inconsistent provisions of RA 10121,’ the professor said.

“As applied to the Rosal DQ case, RA 11494 and 10121 have no inconsistency but there is between RA 10121 and the OEC. Therefore, RA 10121 prevails over the OEC. So, why does the SC not include RA 10121 in the decision?” he added.

Marcial Lito Estevez Tuanqui Jr., former vice governor of Albay, and former president of Albay Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Vice President and Board Member of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry when asked about the political chaos in Albay and the ruling of the High Court, he said that many are confused.

“Many are confused. It’s hard to say if it’s a fair decision. For Albay province and Legazpi City, the voters have few good choices,” Tuanqui said.
“Politics in Albay is chaotic. A lot of unexpected surprises come out. It’s different now compared to 30 years ago, it’s too personal,” he added.

But amid the noise and political differences, Garbin called on the people of Legazpi to unite as he vowed to govern anchored on unity, transparency, and inclusivity.

Garbin said for seven months of his reign he will push to address water, power and improved medical services of the people.

“I want to create a greater impact and address the power problem. We will spearhead a reliable and cheaper power. He will be asking for assistance from Cong. Zaldy Co to put funds for the total rehabilitation of Aleco. As for health services, there are P50 million downloaded in Legazpi City hospital,” he said.

“Our motivation, aspirations and values are rooted for fairness, justice, and the rule of law. Watch me to improve my services,” Garbin said. – BY RHAYDZ BARCIA