AKO BICOL Party-list Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin Jr. has sounded the alarm over what he described as the resurgence of illegal jueteng operations in Albay, warning that the shutdown of legal Small Town Lottery (STL) operations has opened the door to criminal syndicates and deprived charity programs of millions in monthly funding.

In a privilege speech at the House of Representatives, Garbin questioned the abrupt termination of STL operations in December 2025, even though the operator held a valid permit until October 2026. He said the closure has resulted in an estimated P40 million in monthly remittance losses to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

“When that lawful revenue is cut off, the people bleed,” Garbin said, stressing that STL proceeds are meant to fund medical and charitable assistance.

Garbin said the termination was carried out without a “clear, lawful, or transparent explanation,”creating a vacuum that was quickly exploited by illegal gambling operators.

He cited allegations that a group referred to as “ZagNim’ has been allowed to operate jueteng in parts of the province.

According to the lawmaker, “Zag” allegedly refers to Jun Alegre, whom he described as a political ally and former vice gubernatorial running mate of Albay Gov. Noel E. Rosal. “Nim,” he claimed, allegedly refers to Alwing Nimo, whom Garbin identified as a self-confessed jueteng payola payor in past controversies.

Garbin also mentioned Albay Police Provincial Director Col. Noel Nuñez in connection with alleged instructions reportedly relayed to local police units regarding jueteng operations. He further disclosed that several municipal mayors had allegedly received requests from Nimo seeking clearance to operate in their respective areas.

The lawmaker pointed to what he described as a pattern under the administration of Rosal, in which legal STL operations are halted and illegal jueteng resurfaces.

He recalled that in July 2022, shortly after assuming office, Rosal issued a cease-and-desist order against STL operations in Albay. The move prompted the operator to file a criminal complaint against the governor, a case that Garbin said remains pending before a Regional Trial Court in Quezon.

Garbin said the December 2025 shutdown mirrors the earlier incident.

“The legal STL is stopped, and jueteng resurfaces with alarming speed and boldness,” he said.

Garbin urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Philippine National Police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to conduct what he described as an immediate, impartial, and thorough investigation into the alleged involvement of public officials and law enforcement personnel.

He also called on the House of Representatives to initiate inquiries in aid of legislation.

“This is no longer just a local political issue,” Garbin said. “It involves public trust, public funds, and the integrity of the rule of law.

“lllegal gambling thrives only when law enforcement is compromised and political power shields criminal activity,” he added.

Apart from allegations of jueteng protection, the legality of Rosal’s assumption as governor itself was recently put into question after his Certificate of Candidacy for the 2025 elections was cancelled by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).