Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman said Friday he has received a preventive suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a statement, Lagman said Vice Governor Glenda Ong Bongao will have to take over his post in the meantime.

"The event I was expecting has come to pass. I have received my preventive suspension order from the Ombudsman today. Therefore, VG Glenda has to assume as Acting Governor at the soonest possible time," said Lagman.

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"All the good work that you have been doing will not be affected since my preventive suspension is personal to me. I will have a meeting with VG Glenda asap to make sure she is briefed accordingly."

His suspension stemmed from a graft case filed in relation to allegations that he received payoff from jueteng operators when he was still the vice governor.

Lagman assumed the position of governor in December 2022 when the Commission on Elections disqualified Noel Rosal for election violations.

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"I will fight this legally flawed preventive suspension. As a lawyer, the same has absolutely no legal basis. Even freshman law students are in agreement," said Lagman. "Rest assured that I will not be cowed into submission by the powers-that-be."