Ex-senator’s son eyes Congress

CEBU, Philippines - The son of former Cebu governor and senator Rene Espina Sr. is eyeing the congressional seat for the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City in the 2016 elections.

International economist Rene Espina Jr. announced his candidacy for congressman under the Liberal Party.   Espina is joining the group of businessman, Efrain Pelaez Jr., who also announced his intention to run for mayor in the city for the third time against the Radazas.

“We are committed to fight what is right. Our crusade is to continue to seek truth, justice and economic sustainability,” Espina said.

Espina would be running against Representative Aileen Radaza, the daughter of Mayor Paz Radaza.

Espina vowed to make Lapu-Lapu City into a financial center and to expand the export processing zone according to its charter.

Espina is a graduate of De La Salle College in 1973 where he majored in BA Political Science in History and BSC Economics under DLSC’s Lia-Com.

He said he went and graduated with a master’s degree at Yale University, whose Economics Department ranks number one in the USA.

Espina utilized several student convocations where then senator Benigno Aquino Jr. was a perennial guest at the Yale campus.

He was deputy secretary-general of the Makati Business Club and columnist of defunct Business Day.

During the Cory Aquino years, he advised the Central Bank to demonetize the Bagong Lipunan notes to bring out the hidden wealth of the oligarchs and the miligarchy.  — Gregg M. Rubio (FREEMAN)