Mar Roxas secures Guia Gomez’s endorsement

San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez (right) announced on Monday, Jan. 18, 2016, that she had the back of Liberal Party presidential bet Mar Roxas. INQUIRER FILES

Crossing party lines, San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez on Monday threw her support behind administration bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II to be the country’s next president.

Gomez endorsed Roxas during Monday’s flag-raising ceremony at the San Juan City Hall where the administration standard-bearer was guest of honor.

In her speech, Gomez said the decision to endorse Roxas was difficult, citing her friendship with some of Roxas’ rivals.

She said the concern given by Roxas to her constituents during his term interior secretary was a “big factor” in her decision to endorse him.

Last June, Gomez said she would back the presidential bid of Senator Grace Poe, citing her residency in San Juan.

“Kasi taga San Juan s’ya (Grace), kinakapatid s’ya ng anak ko. Very close kami,” Gomez said in a separate interview.

(Because she is from San Juan and she is the godsister of my son. We are very close.)

Gomez is the mother of Senator JV Ejercito, one of the sons of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada. Ejercito has expressed support for Poe, while, Estrada has been mum on whom he would be supporting in May.

Gomez will be running for a third and final term. AJH/ With a report from Marlon Ramos, Philippine Daily Inquirer