Kerwin Espinosa, the newly elected mayor of Albuera, Leyte, recently took to social media to share an image of himself engrossed in reading “The Local Government Code of 1991 Annotated” by Rufus B. Rodriguez. His post, which featured a caption reading “No time wasted,” was seen by many as a symbolic gesture of his commitment to his new role.
Espinosa’s decision to showcase this image on Facebook quickly gained attention, given his controversial background. Once linked to the illegal drug trade, Espinosa’s name became widely known during the height of the Philippines’ drug war. He admitted to being involved in the trade during a 2016 Senate inquiry, but later retracted his statement in 2018, claiming it was made under pressure. Despite his legal battles, including ongoing cases related to money laundering and illegal possession of drugs and firearms, he has managed to make a political comeback.
Elected with 10,939 votes, Espinosa defeated his closest rivals Vince Rama, who received 7,081 votes, and incumbent Mayor Sixto dela Victoria, who garnered 2,761 votes.
In his victory speech, Espinosa emphasized his commitment to peace and order in Albuera, vowing a “zero tolerance” approach to illegal drugs. “We will eradicate drugs here in our town. We will have zero tolerance for drugs,” he declared.
Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla expressed surprise at Espinosa’s victory but acknowledged the people’s choice. “He should be treated as a duly elected mayor,” Petilla said.
Leyte Representative Richard Gomez, however, cautioned the public against being misled by Espinosa’s promises, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance against illegal drugs in the district.
Espinosa’s journey has been marked by both scandal and survival, including a recent assassination attempt during his campaign in April 2025. Now, with his social media post portraying a studious image, he appears keen on crafting a narrative of change and leadership.
