Kerwin Espinosa released from Cebu City Jail

Albuera Mayor Kerwin Espinosa on Wednesday was released from the Cebu City Jail, his camp confirmed.

This came after the Cebu City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 14 ordered the release of Espinosa and others, saying that it does not have jurisdiction over his murder case.

In a two-page order dated February 10, the RTC recalled and set aside the arrest warrant it issued against Espinosa.

“Upon judicious re-evaluation of the record of this case, this Court found that it does not have the jurisdictional authority to try the case,” it said.

Espinosa surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation in early February after the court issued an arrest warrant against him.

The court said that the alleged murder took place in Albuera.

“Absent any allegation that the offense or any of its essential elements transpired in Cebu City, this Court cannot assume jurisdiction without violating settled procedural and constitutional principles,” it said.

The court directed the return of the case to the Baybay, Leyte RTC Branch 14.

It also canceled the arraignment set for February 13. —AOL/VBL, GMA Integrated News