‘I CAN ONLY HOPE AND PRAY’: Kerwin’s victory leaves Leyte governor in shock

National

COUNT Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla among those who were surprised by the victory of Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, who was elected as mayor in Albuera, the town once considered as the “drug capital of Eastern Visayas."

Petilla, re-elected for a second term, stressed that while the result was unexpected, he respects the voters' choice.

“I was also at awe, just like many others, as to why the people of Albuera chose him. He must have [done] something. I’m trying to figure that out myself,” he said in an Inquirer.net report.

“But if they voted freely—and I mean freely—then we have to respect that. He should be treated as a duly elected mayor.” he added

Espinosa received 14,919 votes, far surpassing Board Member Vincent Rama's 7,001 votes and the 2,761 votes of incumbent Mayor Sixto de la Victoria, who had Petilla's support.

Asked about Espinosa's promise to rid Albuera of illegal drugs, Petilla responded,

“I can only hope and pray,” he said.

Petilla stated he would collaborate with Espinosa, similar to his work with all other mayors in the province, to ensure provincial programs and services reach Albuera.

“As long as he does things legally—no illegal activities, no deception—then we need him because the delivery of services in Albuera requires the cooperation of the mayor, down to the barangay [chair],” Petilla explained.

“He will be treated as a mayor because he is now the [duly elected] mayor. But he will also be held to the same standards of performance I expect from all other mayors,” he added.

Espinosa, who once confessed being a drug lord, was unavailable for comment.

Espinosa and his late father, former Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., were previously linked to illegal drug operations by former President Rodrigo Duterte.(Sheila Mae Allego, CTU-TC Intern)