EIGHTH JOINT PUBLIC HEARING OF THE HOUSE QUAD-COMMITTEE. Screengrab from Congress PH

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa publicly apologized to former Senator Leila de Lima for dragging her name into the country's illegal drug trade. During a hearing at the House quad-committee, Espinosa revealed that it was then PNP Chief General Bato dela Rosa who urged him to admit his involvement in illegal drugs and implicate De Lima and businessman Peter Lim.

Espinosa admitted that he went along with the accusations, but now regrets his actions. "Patawarin niyo po ako, kung nadala o nauto-uto sa panahon na iyon na idamay ka po, na walang katotohanan naman," Espinosa said, directly addressing De Lima.

He also expressed his readiness to face any legal action the former senator might take, acknowledging his role in the false accusations. Aside from De Lima, Espinosa also had a message for Senator Bato dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte, who were mentioned in his testimony.

As the political landscape continues to shift, Espinosa's apology adds another layer to the already controversial saga involving one of the country's highest-profile drug cases. Whether De Lima will accept his apology or pursue legal action remains to be seen.