Kerwin files raps vs LGU employees over drugs

In Albuera, Leyte

MANILA, Philippines — Mayor Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, who once described himself as a drug dealer, has filed charges against town employees of Albuera, Leyte who tested positive for drug use during random surprise testing this month.

In a post on social media, the Mayor’s Office said the random drug testing “is part of Espinosa’s firm commitment to ensuring a drug-free workplace in Albuera, upholding integrity and discipline in public service.”

“Mayor Espinosa has officially filed a formal charge for grave misconduct against personnel of this municipality, following the findings of a preliminary investigation conducted by the investigating committee,” a part of the post reads.

The charges include violations of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Dangerous Drugs Board regulations and the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

“The committee found prima facie evidence pointing to a serious administrative offense, defined as wrongful, improper or unlawful conduct committed with willful intent and in blatant disregard of established laws and rules,” the post also reads.

There was no mention of the number of local government employees subjected to drug testing and the number of workers found positive for drug use. But municipal employees, department heads, Sangguniang Bayan members and barangay captains were reportedly among those who went through the drug test.

The post also did not identify who were charged before the courts.

In 2016, then president Rodrigo Duterte publicly accused Espinosa of involvement in the illegal drug trade in Eastern Visayas, implicating him and his father, then mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr., after a police raid yielded P11 million worth of shabu. The elder Espinosa was shot dead in jail by police.

Kerwin said after his proclamation as mayor on May 13 that he would include peace and order and the fight against illegal drugs among his top priorities in governance.