By: Jhimus Barrios, Regional News Correspondent (Bicol)

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Albay Gov. Noel Rosal has denied allegations that he received payola from jueteng and other illegal gambling operations in the province, following accusations made by former Anislag Barangay Captain Alwin Maceda Nimo.

Nimo raised the allegations during a press conference, where he also described his own alleged involvement in gambling operations.

The former barangay official claimed that Rosal regularly received a fixed nine-percent share of gambling proceeds in Albay.

Nimo said he facilitated and managed gambling operations that began with jueteng around January before eventually shifting to Small Town Lottery operations. He also alleged that local public contractors financed the operations.

He claimed to have about 1,000 pages of documents and recorded audio conversations that he intends to submit to the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with planned criminal and administrative complaints.

Nimo also cited alleged death threats and information about a supposed plan targeting him as reasons for making the accusations public.

He maintained that his decision to come forward was made independently, saying no politician from Albay or elsewhere in Bicol was financing or orchestrating his actions.

Rosal, however, issued a categorical denial, saying he had “any involvement, participation, knowledge or connection” with jueteng or any other illegal gambling activity in Albay or elsewhere.

The governor said he initially opted not to respond to the accusations but decided to address them as they continued to circulate and, according to him, created a false impression of his involvement.

Rosal said he never authorized, participated in, benefited from, or supported any illegal gambling operation.

He also pointed to Nimo’s own statements about his alleged participation in gambling activities, stressing that accusations should be supported by evidence and subjected to due process.

Rosal said that should credible evidence exist, the appropriate charges should be filed so the allegations can be resolved through a fair and impartial legal process.

“I stand by my denial. I stand by the truth, and I stand ready to answer before the law,” Rosal said.