By Miriam G. Desacada
Caibiran Biliran- The provincial COMELEC office in Biliran has officially proclaimed on Tuesday six members of the Espina family as a result of the 2025 midterm election on May 12.
The Espinas political vision solidified further its place as an impregnable political fortress
The influence of political dynasty persists in shaping the electoral landscape in Biliran as key members of the Espina family have secured anew their election to local positions in the recently concluded 2025 elections.
Former congressman, Rogelio Espina, a doctor by profession, won by a landslide as new governor with 73,399 votes against trivial opponents, Edgar Ambe (4,961 votes), and Jolan Bohol (1,806 votes).
Roselyn Espina-Paras solidified the family’s hold of the provincial government by winning unopposed as vice-governor with 66,671 votes.
The dynasty’s longstanding grip on Biliran politics was further entrenched with the election of Gerryboy Espina marking his return, after his governorship, to the House of Representatives to represent anew the lone congressional seat of Biliran. Gerryboy garnered 76,016 votes without an opposition to accomplish his feat.
The family’s unshaken dominance in Biliran politics was also engrained more with the overwhelming election of Gretchen Espina as mayor of Naval, the municipal capital of the province. Gretchen garnered 20,642 votes against 1,823 votes of Lyn Borrinaga, and 483 votes of Pablito Cuizon. Clinching the vice mayoralty post was Espina’s long time ally, Archie Parilla. Two more member of Espina political clan in Kawayan town Rudy elected as mayor his son Jake elected as Vice-Mayor.
There have been critics and watchdog groups raising concerns over the continuously growing influence of the Espina clan that ruled Biliran politics for more than two decades in both executive and legislative branches of government.
But a political observer commented that, despite the limited choices of the voters in Biliran, with the concentration of power to a single family, the Espina family have used their power with satisfactory delivery of basic services, and strategic measures to develop the province. “What more can we ask for,” he said.
Voters turnout in Biliran remained steady at 80 percent, with many of them citing satisfaction with the performance of the Espina administration. “We vote for the Espinas because they’ve brought development to our province,” a market vendor told the media. —-Miriam G. Desacada