Marañon backs Mar for president

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines - — Looks like the 2016 elections is heating up as, this early, Negros Occidental Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. declared to the public that he will support Interior Secretary Mar Roxas should the latter run for president.

Marañon said he believed Roxas has bigger chances of winning the presidential seat, especially if his candidacy will be endorsed by President Benigno "PNoy" Aquino III.

The governor, during a dinner last week, urged the 22 mayors of the province to support the bid of Roxas in 2016 saying it would be advantageous for the province to have an Ilonggo president.

According to Cadiz City Mayor Patrick Escalante, the mayors supported the announcement and he too will support Roxas for being an Ilonggo and thus accessible and that the latter had facilitated several projects in his city.

Roxas has yet to confirm whether or not he will join the presidential race, but he assured the mayors he will prioritize Negros Occidental if he becomes president. (FREEMAN)