MANILA, Philippines ? Guia Gomez, the former actress-turned-businesswoman, has formed a local political party to back her run as San Juan City mayor in the 2010 elections.

Gomez had asked the Commission on Elections recently to accredit her political party, Partido Magdiwang, ?which intends to participate in the local elections of 2010.?

The Comelec is scheduled to decide on political party and partylist petitions by November.

Gomez has said that she was eyeing to replace her son, Mayor Joseph Victor Ejercito, whose term ends in 2010.

Ejercito has been serving as San Juan mayor for three consecutive terms. He is reportedly eyeing to run as congressman next year.

According to her petition, Gomez serves as president of her party, while Ejercito is the chairperson.

?Founded on 19 April 2008, Petitioner has been in existence for more than a year prior to the filing of this petition. It is San Juan-wide local political party with offices and chapters in majority of its barangay (villages) local wide,? the petition said.

The city of San Juan has been the bailiwick of former president Joseph Estrada, the opposition leader and Ejercito?s father.

Estrada?s political career began in San Juan when he became mayor there in the 60s. His son, Senator Jinggoy Estrada, also served as mayor.

When asked about Gomez?s political party, Estrada said he was surprised but expressed support for Gomez?s candidacy.