Espinosa released from Cebu jail

Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!

Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.

Visit Suniway.ph to learn

February 12, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Kerwin Espinosa of Albuera, Leyte has been released from detention after a trial court in Cebu recalled the arrest warrant issued against him for murder.

The Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 said the crime of which Espinosa is being accused of occurred in Albuera.

“Absent any allegation that the offense or any of its essential elements transpired in Cebu City, this court cannot assume jurisdiction without violating settled procedural and constitutional principles,” the court said in a ruling issued on Tuesday.

The court said the Sandiganbayan has no jurisdiction over the case since Espinosa was not yet mayor at the time of the alleged murder.

The court directed the Cebu City Jail to free Espinosa and his co-accused, Eddie Mar Mitra and Marcelo Adorco, unless they are being detained for some other legal purpose.

Records of Espinosa’s case must be returned to the Leyte Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Baybay, the court said.

Last week, Espinosa surrendered after the same court issued a warrant for his arrest, with no bail recommended for his temporary liberty.

Espinosa’s arraignment was supposed to be tomorrow.

The camp of Espinosa said the case was politically motivated.