Kerwin asked to back out from mayoral race

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PALOMPON, Leyte — A former police official has urged Kerwin Espinosa to back out from his candidacy for mayor of Albuera town, stressing that any return to public life must be preceded by a clear and sustained demonstration of genuine reform.

ADVICE TO MAYORAL CANDIDATE Former Albuera town police chief Jovie Espenido urges Kerwin Espinosa to prove genuine reform before pursuing his mayoral bid in Albuera, stressing the importance of integrity and lasting change for the town's future leadership. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES

In an interview on Thursday, former Albuera Police chief Jovie Espenido emphasized that the residents of the town deserve leaders who possess unquestionable integrity and a clean track record.

"Kerwin should not join politics for the meantime while the situation is still heated," said Espenido.

"He should first show and prove to the people of Albuera that he will not enter politics yet, because it would seem like he is pursuing personal interest right after being known for his problems, and then suddenly running for office," the former police chief added.

Espenido, who served as police chief of Albuera during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte, recalled how Albuera once drew national attention due to his link with illegal drugs.

Espinosa, a confessed drug personality, admitted his involvement in illegal drug activities, although he now claims to have changed his ways.

Espenido stressed that reform cannot be proven through mere declarations.

According to him, individuals seeking public office, especially those previously tied to criminal activities, must demonstrate change through consistent actions and a lifestyle free from any association with illegal activities.

He added that leadership is not just a title but a responsibility entrusted by the people, and it should be reserved for those who have genuinely earned public trust.

During Espenido's tenure in Albuera, he led a series of aggressive operations targeting illegal drug networks, including those allegedly linked to the Espinosa family.

These efforts included the arrest of several individuals and extensive investigations into the operations of local drug syndicates.

The crackdown intensified after the death of Kerwin's father, then-Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., who was killed inside a jail facility in 2016 under controversial circumstances while awaiting trial on drug-related charges.

The incident further placed Albuera and the Espinosa name under intense national scrutiny, highlighting the town's struggle against the influence of illegal drugs within its political and social systems.

Espenido maintained that the lessons from that period should not be forgotten, and that voters must remain vigilant and discerning in choosing leaders for the future of their community.

He pointed out that a political comeback by a figure previously involved in illegal drugs risks undermining the gains achieved through hard-fought efforts to clean up Albuera.

Public officials, he said, must not only be free from criminal involvement but must also be capable of setting a positive example for their constituents.

He said Espinosa's candidacy has sparked a wider debate across Leyte with many questioning whether a former drug personality, regardless of claims of reform, should be allowed to reclaim a leadership role.

Espenido concluded that those who seek to serve must first prove beyond doubt that they have permanently turned away from criminal activities.

He asserted that true reform must be visible and sustained over time, not merely professed during election periods.

During a campaign sortie on April 24, Espinosa expressed that he believes God granted him a second life to serve the people of Albuera.

He said that God saw the sincerity in his heart, which led to his mission of service.

Referring to his recent near-fatal shooting on April 10, Espinosa emphasized that his intentions for Albuera are pure, with a focus on sincerely serving the community, particularly the senior citizens.