Kerwin Espinosa faces DQ case for challenging Gomez to a gunfight

Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa, who is seeking the post of mayor of Albuera, Leyte, waves to supporters during a campaign sortie. — Photo by Roel T. Amazon/Contributor

TACLOBAN CITY – Albuera mayoral candidate Rolan “Kerwin” Espinosa is facing a disqualification case for allegedly challenging Leyte Rep. Richard Gomez to a gunfight, an act deemed as a threat and form of intimidation.

Gomez’s wife and Ormoc City Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez filed an 11-page petition for disqualification against Espinosa before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, May 6.

She argued that the incident constitutes a violation of section 68 (e) in relation to section 261 (e) of the Omnibus Election Code which prohibits acts of violence or threats against opponents during the election period.

Espinosa has yet to respond to requests for comment.

READ: 7 cops linked to Kerwin Espinosa shooting to face administrative raps

The petition stemmed from a Facebook Live video posted by Espinosa on April 30, 2025.

In the 40-minute broadcast, which was viewed live by over 900 people and has since garnered more than 70,000 views, Espinosa challenged Gomez to an armed duel. Gomez is running for a second term as representative of Leyte’s fourth congressional district.

Espinosa even suggested that police and military personnel serve as referees and encouraged Gomez to bring his “most powerful” firearms.

He also proposed that both parties sign a waiver ensuring no legal action would be taken against whoever survives the duel.

“Coming from a self-confessed killer, those are not mere insults—these are serious and dangerous threats meant to terrorize, instill fear among the electorate, and intimidate them from voting,” Torres-Gomez stated in her petition.

She described Espinosa’s statements as “not only criminal but also a mockery of the elections,” claiming they were intended to assert political dominance through violence rather than legitimate campaigning. /MR