COC filing day 5, local races: Preacher vs Duterte for Davao mayor post, Kerwin Espinosa’s apology
CEBU, Philippines – It all goes back to Davao City and the drug war on the fifth day of filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) on Saturday, October 5.
In Davao City, Rodolfo Cubos, also known as “Bishop Rod” to his followers, was the first to file his COC for the position of mayor, setting up a possible confrontation with the Duterte political dynasty.
“For many years, I have served as a Bishop, a servant of God, and a leader called by both our faith and our community. I have witnessed the struggles and triumphs of our people, and I have walked alongside many of you in building a better city,” Cubos said in a statement.
Cubos is the founder of the Christ the Healer International Missions Movement and a member of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Bishops. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cubos was strongly against the vaccination campaigns, stating that the vaccines would cause a zombie apocalypse.
It’s anticipated that incumbent Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the son of former president Rodrigo Duterte, will file his COC for reelection before the end of the filing period.
However, there has been speculation that the former president may vie for the mayoral post. Either way, Cubos described his bid for the post as a “fight against political giants.”
“Many will say this is impossible — that a servant-leader like me cannot compete against seasoned politicians. But just as David triumphed over Goliath, we too can overcome these giants with faith, courage, and the will of the people,” Cubos said.
Espiñosa apologizes to De Lima
Alleged Visayas drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, who has his eyes on the Albuera, Leyte mayoral seat, apologized to former senator Leila de Lima for linking her to the illegal drug trade.
“Sorry talaga. Biktima lang ako at biktima ka rin sa nakaraang administrasyon (I am so sorry. I am just a victim and you are also a victim of the previous administration),” Espinosa said in a press conference on Saturday.
In 2016, Espinosa claimed that he gave De Lima payout drug money worth P8 million for her senatorial campaign through her former driver, Ronnie Dayan. In 2022, Espinosa retracted all his accusations against the former senator.
During Saturday’s press conference, Espinosa said he was pressured and intimidated by Senator Ronald dela Rosa through Police Lieutenant Colonel Jovie Espenido to make up stories when he testified before a Senate panel probing illegal drug-related operations during the Duterte administration.
“Tinakot ako. Isipin niyo, sa panahon na nagtestimonya ako doon sa Senate, patay na ang papa ko, nasa loob ng kulungan, pinatay na parang hayop na walang kalaban-laban,” Espinosa said.
(They threatened me. Think about it, at the time I testified in the Senate, my father was dead, in prison, killed like a defenseless animal.)
Espinosa urged the International Criminal Court to investigate the death of his father, former Albuera mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr.
Espinosa filed his COC for mayor of Albuera town on the first day of COC filing last Monday, October 1. – with reports from Jazmin Bonifacio/Rappler.com