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Kerwin Espinosa elected Albuera, Leyte chief executive

Philippines | Visayas

Kerwin Espinosa elected Albuera, Leyte chief executive

Espinosa vows to fight drugs, seeks forgiveness from adversaries

By Calvin Cordova

CEBU CITY – From a self-confessed drug lord to a town mayor.

Kerwin Espinosa won the mayoral race in Albuera, Leyte and vowed to fight illegal drugs in the town.

After his victory, Espinosa was quick to make peace with his adversaries.

"Thank you very much and I hope people will forgive me for what I have said in the past,” Espinosa said in a Facebook live on Tuesday, May 13.

Espinosa won big after receving 14,919 votes. His closest pursuer, Vince Rama, got 9,744 votes while reelectionist Sixto Dela Victoria received 3,482 votes.

It will be a family afair in Albuera as Kerwin’s sister, RR Espinosa, was elected vice mayor with 14,372 votes. RR defeated Manic Barte and Liza dela Victoria, who got 8,991 and 4,467 votes, respectively.

Hours after the proclamation, Espinosa called for reconciliation.

Espinosa sought forgiveness from Rama.

“Even you Vince Rama, forgive me if I said something bad against you,” Espinosa.

Kerwin also extended an olive branch to reelected Leyte fourth district Rep. Richard Gomez, the brother-in-law of Rama.

“Cong. Richard Gomez, good morning. Forgive me for everything I have said against you. Let’s forget what happened,” Kerwin said.

Rep. Gomez's wife, reelected Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, filed a disqualification case against Kerwin.

The disqualification case stemmed from Kerwin’s Facebook Live where he challenged Rep. Gomez to a gun duel.

“As elected officials, we should help each other instead of quarelling. To the people of Albuera, I want to say a big thank you to all of you,” Kerwin said.

Related Tags

Albuera Leyte Kerwin Espinosa

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