Salceda marks first loss in a tight Albay gubernatorial race vs Rosal

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Joey Salceda (Albay 2nd District) is bracing for defeat in the Albay gubernatorial race.

Unofficial results show him trailing Noel Rosal by 9,713 votes with 99.17% of election returns transmitted, according to the Commission on Elections transparency server as of midday on Tuesday, May 13.

Rosal leads with 401,615 votes, while Salceda has 391,902. A final tally confirming these figures would mark Salceda’s first loss since entering politics in 1998, ending a decades-long winning streak.

Salceda has served multiple terms as both Albay representative and governor, running unopposed in four out of six gubernatorial elections.

In a statement, Salceda said he had “no greater honor than to love and serve Albay."

“My commitment to serving Albay remains—unyielding, unwavering, and unending. Albay forever,” Salceda said.

Rosaler Sara Jr. placed a distant third in the gubernatorial race, with 6,143 votes.

Bid to block. On Monday, Salceda sought to block Rosal's confirmation, citing a pending disqualification case over Rosal’s alleged illegal reassignment of three government employees.

Despite this, the Albay Commission on Elections proceeded with Rosal’s confirmation.

Rosal's legal troubles. Rosal’s candidacy has been the subject of multiple legal challenges. The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed him from service and permanently barred him from holding public office for grave misconduct and oppression related to the reassignment of department heads.

However, Rosal remained in the race after the Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order on the Comelec’s disqualification order, allowing him to continue his gubernatorial bid while the case is under review.

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