Ombudsman dismisses Philippine governor over gambling links
The Philippines’ Office of the Ombudsman has dismissed Albay Governor Grex Lagman from public office after finding him guilty of grave misconduct in connection with alleged payments received from illegal gambling operators involved in jueteng, a widespread numbers game in the Philippines.
According to local media reports, the ruling, issued on 28 January and made public this week, found that Lagman had accepted weekly protection money of PHP60,000 ($1,070) between November 2020 and January 2021. The decision followed a complaint filed in February 2024 by Alwin Nimo, a former barangay chairman in Daraga. Nimo, identifying himself as a coordinator for jueteng financiers, accused Lagman of receiving as much as PHP8.1 million ($144,520) between August 2019 and June 2022 during his tenure as Albay’s vice governor and later as governor.
According to the Ombudsman’s report, Lagman allegedly used his public position to facilitate the continued operation of illegal gambling in the province in exchange for regular payments. The report stated that the former governor’s actions were “willful and done with discernment,” and that the intent to benefit personally from illegal activity was clear.
While Lagman was found guilty of grave misconduct, warranting dismissal from government service, the charges of dishonesty and neglect of duty were dismissed due to lack of sufficient evidence. The Office of the Ombudsman also imposed all accessory penalties associated with dismissal, which include disqualification from holding public office.
Lagman denies allegations and appeals ruling
Following the release of the Ombudsman’s decision, Lagman took to Facebook to declare his innocence and affirm his intention to appeal the ruling.
“I stand by my record that I did not accept any payola from jueteng while I served as vice governor from 2019 to 2022,” Lagman wrote in Filipino. “From the very start of my term as governor on 1 December 2022, I made it clear that I was against jueteng. Because of this firm and clear position, no one dared to offer me any form of payola.”
Lagman, a lawyer and former court officer, said he voluntarily stepped down from office upon receiving the Ombudsman’s decision on 24 April to avoid disrupting the operations of the provincial government. He emphasised that his resignation was with respect to legal processes and not an admission of guilt.
He also clarified that he immediately informed the regional office of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of the ruling, noting that they had not yet been officially notified of it. His legal team is reportedly preparing to file a formal appeal.
Suspension preceded dismissal
Lagman had earlier revealed in October 2024 that he was under preventive suspension. The complaint accused him of failing to act against illegal gambling while serving as vice governor despite holding the influential role of presiding officer in the provincial legislature.
Lagman argued in his counter-affidavit that the case was politically motivated, part of a vilification campaign led by his rivals ahead of the upcoming elections. The Philippines will hold its mid-term elections in May. He also challenged the validity of the evidence, including deposit slips that purportedly documented payments to him.
Broader concerns around illegal gambling
The case highlights persistent concerns over the influence of illegal gambling in local Philippine politics. Jueteng, though banned, remains deeply entrenched in several provinces, often sustained by protection networks involving local officials and law enforcement.
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