Ex-Drug Suspect Kerwin Espinosa Begins New Chapter as Mayor
KERWIN ESPINOSA — The former self-confessed drug lord shared a photo of himself reading the Philippine Local Government Code after being declared the new mayor of Albuera, Leyte. The gesture, posted on Facebook on Thursday, May 15, was his way of showing commitment to learning and fulfilling his responsibilities as mayor.
Espinosa said he is not wasting any time in preparing for the challenges of his new role. “No time wasted for the new challenges of my life,” he wrote, adding that dedication and persistence are key to managing his duties effectively.
He was proclaimed mayor on Tuesday, May 13, following the May 12 midterm elections, in which he received more than 14,000 votes. His unexpected victory drew public attention due to his controversial past. Prior to the election, on May 10, Espinosa survived a shooting incident while campaigning.
Despite his history, Espinosa says he will prioritize peace and order in his town, with a strong focus on combating illegal drugs—an ironic twist considering his former involvement in the trade. His win and subsequent promises have sparked mixed reactions, with many now closely watching how he will lead and whether he can turn over a new leaf as a public servant.
Meanwhile, Kerwin Espinosa, whose real name is Rolan Espinosa Jr., is a controversial figure in the Philippines known for being a self-confessed drug lord. He is the son of the late Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. of Albuera, Leyte, who was also linked to illegal drug activities and was killed inside a jail cell in 2016 under questionable circumstances.
Kerwin Espinosa came into the national spotlight during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, when he was accused of running a major drug syndicate in the Eastern Visayas region. In 2016, he fled the country but was later arrested in Abu Dhabi and deported back to the Philippines. Upon his return, he confessed to being involved in illegal drug operations and named several politicians and law enforcement officials as alleged protectors or recipients of drug money. In recent years, however, he recanted his earlier statements, claiming they were made under pressure.