Guia Gomez backs Mar

MANILA, Philippines – San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez has thrown her support for Liberal Party (LP) presidential candidate Mar Roxas and she says that Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and their son—who are both supporting opposition candidates—have accepted her stance.

Gomez endorsed Roxas during her speech before hundreds of local officials and constituents after yesterday’s flag-raising ceremony at the San Juan City Hall grounds saying that administration standard bearer did much to boost the city’s housing projects.

“It (supporting Roxas) was a difficult decision because of family. But for me I think deep in my heart, the whole of San Juan City and Secretary Mar knew a long time ago where my heart really lies,” Gomez told reporters after the event.

Estrada is identified with the opposition while their son, Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, is backing independent presidential candidate Sen. Grace Poe.

“The family may be split…but I have already made up my mind ever since (I was here as mayor),” she said.

She said she will see if the family can get together and sort out their political differences.

Roxas took care of her constituents by supporting the city government’s housing projects, Gomez said.

She also credited Roxas with the construction of the St. Josephville Condominium complex that benefitted fire victims in San Juan in 2012 and the relocation of thousands of families who were living along flood-prone areas in the city under Department of the Interior and Local Government’s “Oplan Likas.” – Non Alquitran, Marvin Sy