Albay Governor Edcel Greco “Grex” Lagman has as soon as once more left workplace following a choice by the Workplace of the Ombudsman, which discovered him responsible of grave misconduct for allegedly accepting safety cash from operators of jueteng, a banned numbers sport within the Philippines.
The choice, dated January 28, 2025, and made public solely not too long ago, concluded that Lagman obtained round PHP8 million from jueteng financiers between August 2019 and June 2022. The funds have been purportedly in trade for shielding the unlawful playing operations throughout his tenure, first as vice governor and later as governor.
This dismissal comes on the heels of a earlier six-month preventive suspension imposed on Lagman in October 2024. He had simply resumed his put up on April 21, solely to be compelled to vacate it once more days later, on April 24, when he obtained the Ombudsman’s ruling.
Findings and Proof Backing the Dismissal
The Ombudsman’s investigation closely relied on statements from self-confessed jueteng financier coordinator Alwin Nimo and his associates, in addition to 60 financial institution deposit slips. These paperwork, deemed admissible regardless of the financial institution secrecy legislation, have been used to help allegations that Lagman had benefited from unlawful playing proceeds.
In keeping with the ruling, Nimo initially operated as a “bangkero,” or financier, and delivered payola on to Lagman or via his driver. The funds, which reportedly started in 2019, have been stated to have continued on a weekly foundation, with PHP60,000 handed over from November 2020 to January 2021.
“This Workplace finds that respondent had been animated by a corrupt motive to profit from unlawful playing. His corrupt actions have been willful and carried out with discernment,” the Ombudsman acknowledged within the 15-page decision, as quoted by the Philippine Every day Inquirer.
Whereas the misconduct cost was upheld, allegations of dishonesty and neglect of responsibility have been dismissed on account of lack of sufficient proof. The choice cited no compelling proof of deceit or intentional negligence in reference to Lagman’s alleged receipt of unlawful funds.
Lagman Denies Allegations, Plans Authorized Problem
In response to the dismissal, Lagman firmly denied the accusations, sustaining that he by no means accepted jueteng payola throughout his time in public workplace. He asserted that he had constantly opposed unlawful playing actions.
“I stand by my file that I didn’t settle for any payola from jueteng whereas I served as vice governor from 2019 to 2022,” Lagman stated in a press release. “From the very begin of my time period as governor on 1 December 2022, I made it clear that I used to be towards jueteng. Due to this agency and clear place, nobody dared to supply me any type of payola.”
The embattled governor emphasised his respect for authorized establishments, voluntarily stepping all the way down to keep away from disrupting provincial governance. He stated he instantly notified the Division of the Inside and Native Authorities (DILG) Area V, because the company had not but obtained an official copy of the Ombudsman’s resolution.
Lagman’s authorized counsel is now making ready to attraction the ruling. In earlier statements, he characterised the case as politically motivated and a part of a marketing campaign to tarnish his status forward of the midterm elections scheduled for Might.
Suspicious Retractions and Broader Implications
Throughout the course of the investigation, each Nimo and two alleged bagmen—Jeff Mangalinao and Dexter Maceda—tried to retract their earlier testimonies. Nonetheless, the Ombudsman rejected these retractions, labeling them “extremely suspicious.”
Mangalinao, stated to be an affiliate of Nimo, and Maceda, recognized as his cousin, claimed they have been unaware of what they’d signed. Nimo cited anxiousness over the case as the explanation for his reversal. Regardless of this, the Ombudsman affirmed the probative worth of their authentic affidavits, together with the corroborating deposit slips.
Moreover, Lagman reportedly didn’t contest the existence of the financial institution transactions in query, as a substitute invoking the financial institution secrecy legislation to problem the admissibility of the paperwork.
Context of the Grievance
The unique criticism, filed by Nimo in February 2024, traced the start of the payola scheme to 2019, when Lagman was vice governor and presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan. Nimo alleged that Lagman requested to be linked with jueteng financiers and orchestrated common payouts in trade for political safety.
The 2 males allegedly had a falling out when Lagman turned governor in 2022, reportedly on account of disputes over the division of the unlawful proceeds. Nimo claimed Lagman accused him of misappropriating his share, prompting the criticism.
Widening Concern Over Unlawful Playing Ties
This case has renewed deal with the pervasive attain of jueteng in Philippine politics. Although outlawed, the numbers sport continues to thrive in elements of the nation, typically protected by casual preparations involving native officers.
Lagman’s dismissal has added a high-profile title to the record of public servants entangled in unlawful playing controversies, additional stoking requires reform and tighter enforcement towards corruption and illicit playing in native governance.
