Former Albay governors Noel Rosal and lawyer Edcel Grex Lagman teamed up under the newly formed “Save Albay Alliance,” which aims to challenge powerful political forces in the 2025 gubernatorial race in the province.
In a press conference on Thursday, Lagman announced his decision to withdraw from the 2025 gubernatorial elections. He offered his full support for Rosal’s candidacy as one of his campaign managers.
Lagman emphasized that this move is not an abandonment of his vision for Albay, but a strategic step to strengthen Rosal’s bid against incumbent Rep. Joey Salceda, who is eyeing the governor’s seat next year.
He described his decision as a “sacrifice to fight powerful forces,” who want to “control the province.”
“By withdrawing, I can devote more time and effort to campaign for the people who truly have the best interests of Albay in their hearts and minds,” Lagman said in a Facebook post on Friday.
Lagman said his success in the vice governor race, where he obtained support across 720 barangays, coupled with the landslide win of Rosal in the previous gubernatorial race factored in his decision.
“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,” he said.
Rosal said forging an alliance with Lagman marks a pivotal moment for Albay. He said their shared mission is to restore democracy and end the abuses of wealthy and influential politicians in the region.
“We have to save Albay,” the former governors declared.
Should Rosal win, Lagman said it would serve as a vindication for him and his wife—former Legazpi City Mayor Geraldine Rosal—after the couple were removed from office.
“Let us not forget the lesson history has taught us: absolute power corrupts absolutely. 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,” Lagman said.
Meanwhile, Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman shared that the alliance was not initially planned, despite efforts from local leaders, including Ligao City Mayor Fernando Gonzalez, to mediate. She said her brother’s decision to step aside was timely and paved the way for this unity.
“I think it was destined to happen,” she said in Tagalog, acknowledging the significance of this alliance in shaping Albay’s political landscape.
