Negros governor asks mayors to back Mar’s bid

BACOLOD City, Philippines – Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. called on mayors in the province to support the presidential bid of Liberal Party standard bearer Manuel Roxas II or face tough opponents – from candidates of his own party – when they seek reelection in 2016.

“Those who will not support Roxas will face an opponent,” Marañon said Friday. The governor is not an LP member, but his United Negros Alliance (UNegA) is backing Roxas in 2016. Marañon said his dare covers local chief executives who are not supporting any presidential candidate.

He has been publicly endorsing Roxas, whom he credited for pushing the Negros Island Region (NIR) initiative.

President Aquino signed Executive Order 183 last May 29 creating the NIR or Region 18.

It separated Negros Occidental from Western Visayas and Negros Oriental from Central Visayas to become a one-region island.

Vice Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson of the Nationalist People’s Coalition had earlier voiced support for Roxas but said his local party, Love Negros, would not endorse any presidential bet.

“Love Negros will not be united for a (particular) presidential candidate,” he said. The NPC has yet to announce its choice for president.

Roxas is running against Sen. Grace Poe, survey frontrunner; and Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance.