After Years, Kerwin Espinosa Changes Stand on Leila de Lima Drug Case
KERWIN ESPINOSA – The self-confessed drug lord who pinned down former Senator Leila de Lima apologized to her for his previous claim.
For around 6 years, former Sen. Leila de Lima was detained at the PNP Custodial Room that was occupied by former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo. The latter has been transferred to Pasig City Jail.
De Lima was detained due to multiple drug charges filed against her over her alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison. Several individuals pinned her down over her alleged actions during her term as the secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ).
One of those who spoke against De Lima was Kerwin Espinosa. He was the son of slain Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa who was also linked to drugs.
The testimonies against then-Sen. Leila de Lima have contributed on the weight of the charges against her. It was in November 2023 when she gained her temporary freedom after she was allowed to post bail. The charges against her were dismissed in the court.
Recently, Kerwin Espinosa attended a hearing conducted at the House of Representatives. At the hearing, the self-confessed drug lord retracted his statement against former Sen. Leila de Lima.
Espinosa claimed that he was coerced by Sen. Bato dela Rosa to pin down De Lima. Then, the Senator was the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP). Espinosa claimed that he was forced not only to name De Lima but as well as Peter Lim.
Kerwin Espinosa claimed that it was on November 17, 2016 when he was allegedly pressured by Sen. Bato dela Rosa to implicate then-Sen. Leila de Lima and Peter Lim in the drug case. According to him, he was threathened that he may face the same fate with his late father if he will not do the order.
Espinosa claimed that it was allegedly Dela Rosa who fetched him and gave him the order. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, he apologized to former Sen. Leila de Lima for what he has done.
Kerwin Espinosa expressed an apology to former Sen. Leila de Lima for involving her in something that is allegedly not true. Based on the report, he also expressed his readiness to face the consequence of his action.
“Patawarin n’yo po ako na nadala, nauto-uto sa panahon na ‘yun, na idamay ka po, na walang katotohanan naman… Sorry, ma’am. Handa po akong harapin kung ano ang plano mo sa akin po,” he said.
Both De Lima and Dela Rosa have yet to comment on the recent claim of Espinosa. In the upcoming 2025 Midterm Elections, former Sen. Leila de Lima will run as a party-list representative.