Manila, June 3 -- The Court of Appeals (CA) has downgraded the administrative penalties imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman against former Albay governor Noel Rosal and his wife, Legazpi City Mayor Carmen Geraldine Rosal in connection with the unauthorized reassignment of provincial department heads in 2022.

In a 15-page decision written by Associate Justice Germano Legaspi dated May 30, the CA's 15th division partially granted the petition filed by the Rosals and modified the Ombudsman's ruling against the couple.

"Petitioner Noel Rosal is found guilty of simple misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service and is meted the penalty of suspension from the service for one year. Petitioner Carmen Geraldine Rosa...