Comelec proclaims new Legazpi mayor

MANILA, Philippines — With only a few months left before the holding of the 2025 midterm elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday proclaimed Alfredo Garbin Jr. as the duly elected mayor of Legazpi City in Albay. The special city board of canvassers (SCBOC) proclaimed Garbin to have garnered the highest number of votes during the May 2022 elections.

Garbin’s proclamation was held at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.

The proclamation came after the SCBOC annulled the proclamation of Carmen Rosal as mayor of Legazpi.

Garbin lost to Rosal in the May 2022 elections.

The Comelec disqualified Rosal in October 2022 for violating the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits the disbursement and release of government funds during an election period.

The poll body ordered the SCBOC to convene and proclaim Garbin as the winner.

The Supreme Court promulgated the Comelec decision last month and affirmed the disqualification of Rosal.

Garbin said he is hopeful that his proclamation would result in the healing of the city and its people.

“The decision of the Supreme Court will hopefully put closure to the issue that has divided the city,” Garbin said.