Albay Governor Noel Rosal is publicly challenging a ruling by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that disqualified him from seeking reelection in the May 2025 elections, asserting that he has already served a suspension and remains eligible.

This comes as Rosal filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Comelec en banc on Monday, days after the commission affirmed his disqualification.

In a local radio interview, Rosal expressed frustration with the ruling, stating, “I don’t understand the anger toward me,” and adding, “When you’re a governor, it means you have to step down first.”

The governor maintains that his case before the Office of the Ombudsman was downgraded in June 2024 from a dismissal to a suspension, which he claims he has already served. Because of this, he argued, there should be no clause barring him from holding public office.

“I remain hopeful that the truth will prevail,” Rosal said. He also referenced a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court, which he described as “indefinite” and which he said allowed him to file a Certificate of Candidacy (CoC).

Rosal hinted at political motives behind his disqualification, saying the dismissal originated from someone affected by illegal businesses he had shut down, though he did not disclose names.

“But the people of Albay know we will not back down,” he said. “This is for the right of suffrage for the people of Albay.”

Official records, however, show a different scenario.

The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed Rosal from office in June 2024 for grave misconduct, a penalty that carries perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

The Comelec Second Division subsequently canceled his CoC, citing misrepresentation and eligibility concerns and the en banc affirmed the disqualification, referencing Section 40(b) of the Local Government Code, which bars individuals removed from office via administrative cases from running for local elective positions.

Rosal’s appeal centers on his claim that the penalty was reduced to a suspension, which would make him eligible. He also stressed that the case is no longer an election offense and questioned Comelec’s involvement.