First female Albay governor Glenda Bongao was officially sworn in following the dismissal order issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against former governor Atty. Grex Lagman.
Bongao, previously serving as acting governor, now assumes the role permanently after the Ombudsman found Lagman guilty of grave misconduct for allegedly receiving money from jueteng operators.
In an interview with Bombo Radyo Legazpi, Governor Bongao said she was already prepared to step into the position as she had been serving as acting governor for almost six months.
She shared that upon receiving a formal letter from the dismissed governor relinquishing the post, she anticipated the full assumption of duties as the new provincial chief executive.
According to Bongao, Lagman immediately stepped down to avoid any disruption in the operations of the provincial government.
She also noted that due to her prior leadership, department heads encountered no difficulties in the transition process leading up to her official assumption of the governorship.
Governor Bongao affirmed that she will continue the programs she started during her time as acting governor until the end of her term.
Despite political instability in Albay, where three individuals held the governorship within a single term, Bongao promised that the delivery of public service to Albayanos will not be compromised.