Jose "Joe" Sanson Espinosa III (born June 20, 1956), also known as Joe III, is a Filipino politician who served as mayor of Iloilo City from 2017 to 2019.
Early life
Espinosa III was born on June 20, 1956, in Iloilo City. He is the eighth child of Jose "Mor" Espinosa Jr. and Lolita V. Sanson.
At an early age, He attended and graduated from the A. Montes Elementary School, finished high school at the University of Iloilo, earned his bachelor's degree in political science and economics at the University of San Agustin, and later graduated from the School of Law and Graduate Studies at the same university.
Political career
Espinosa III's political career earned prominence during his short term as City Legal Officer. He continued his political career as an Iloilo City Councilor for three consecutive terms, from 1989 to 1998. He was elected Iloilo City Vice Mayor in 2010 and served until his appointment in 2017 by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as the new mayor of Iloilo City after the dismissal order on Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog. He served the remainder of Mabilog's term until 2019, after he lost his reelection against his brother-in-law and former Mayor of Iloilo City, Jerry Treñas.
In the 2022 election, he lost the congressman position race against reelectionist Iloilo City congresswoman Julienne Baronda, whom he defeated in the vice mayoral race in the 2010 elections.
Personal life
Espinosa III is married to Gina Agnes Divinagracia Sarabia, a gemologist, and they have four daughters, namely: Regine Amparo, Maria Patricia, Beatrice Mary Agnes, and Ma. Christina Isabel.