Catholic Church leaders in Albay province aired concerns over the decision of the Commission on Elections First Division to disqualify Governor Noel Rosal, saying this could “pave the way for the resumption of destructive quarrying activities in the province”.
The Church leaders voiced out concern following the resolution of the election body disqualifying Rosal based on allegations that he violated the election ban on government spending prior to the May 2022 elections. Rosal defeated former Governor Al Francis Bicharra in that gubernatorial contest by more 200,000 votes.
Legazpi Bishop Joel Baylon said that prior to the move to disqualify Rosal, the new Albay governor had taken drastic measures to stop illegal quarrying in the province, particularly in the areas surrounding Mayon Volcano. On his first day in office, Rosal issued the provincial government’s first executive order suspending the quarry operations in the entire province.
Baylon said the “drastic moves by Governor Rosal to stop illegal quarrying in the province may have inspired the political scheme to have him removed from office”.
“The people of the province are aware that the new governor may have hurt many business interests despite his honest motive to protect the environment and the lives of the people living in the areas around Mayon Volcano,” he said.