Ormoc City mayor seeks to disqualify Espinosa

CEBU CITY — Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez filed a disqualification case on Tuesday, May 6, against Kerwin Espinosa, a mayoral candidate in Albuera, Leyte, for allegedly violating provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.

DISQUALIFICATION CASEOrmoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez, seen here answering questions from the local media after her State of the City Address in October 2024, files a disqualification case against Kerwin Espinosa on May 6, 2025, five days before the midterm elections, for allegedly violating provisions of the Omnibus Election Code. PHOTO BY KAISER JAN FUENTES

In her petition before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Gomez cited Espinosa's violation of Section 68(e) in relation to Section 261(e) of the Code, which prohibits threats, intimidation, terrorism, and other forms of coercion in connection with elections.

In a copy of the complaint obtained by The Manila Times on Wednesday, May 7, Gomez based the complaint on Espinosa's Facebook Live broadcast on April 30, where he challenged her husband, Rep. Richard Gomez, to a gunfight.

During the 40-minute and 15-second video, viewed live by more than 900 users, Espinosa dared the congressman to face him in a draw, despite claiming he was injured.

He suggested using their most powerful firearms, proposed that police and military personnel act as referees, and called for both sides to sign a waiver that would prevent any legal action stemming from the fight.

The petition emphasized that such behavior promotes intimidation and incites violence, undermining the integrity of the electoral process.

Espinosa's online statements came in response to an oral defamation complaint filed by the Gomezes.

The complaint stemmed from multiple Facebook videos Espinosa aired following a shooting incident on April 10, 2025, in which he sustained injuries.

Gomez, who represented Leyte's 4th district from 2010 to 2022, argued in her petition that Espinosa's conduct endangers public order and disrespects democratic norms.

The Comelec has yet to decide whether to accept the petition and proceed with disqualification hearings. The proclamation of winning local candidates is set between May 12 and 15.

If the disqualification proceeds, Espinosa could be barred from holding office regardless of the election outcome.

Espinosa, a self-confessed drug personality, is attempting to win the mayoralty race in Albuera town.

As of this writing, Espinosa has not issued a public statement in response to the disqualification case.