Mar Roxas’ unlikely ally

During the San Juan City flag-raising ceremony, Monday, January 18, Mayor Guia Gomez heaps  praises on Roxas for helping San Juan when the latter was Interior secretary, saying he transcended party lines.

Gomez says it’s now her turn to thank Roxas by endorsing his presidential bid.

Bea Cupin reports. – Rappler.com

Liberal party standard-bearer Mar Roxas gets a key, and perhaps, unlikely ally in the city of San Juan: City Mayor Guia Gomez who belongs to the politically influential Ejercito-Estrada clan. 

Speaking before local leaders at the city flag raising ceremony on Monday January 18, Gomez heaps on the praises for Roxas and says the former interior secretary was never amiss in helping San Juan even if they belonged to different political parties. 

Guia Gomez, Vice Mayor, San Juan City: You transcended party lines and considered, instead, the plight of the needy in our city. I also feel the warm regard to my son, Senator JV Ejercito, even if he keeps on toeing the line of loyal opposition. We are fortunate because you consider him as if your younger brother. Lately I have had sleepless nights thinking on how we can repay you for all your love and care for us, until it came to my mind that maybe it is now my turn to cross party lines for the betterment of our dear city. I have come to a decision to express my personal gratitude. For all of these, you have my support this coming May elections. 

Hands are raised, sealing a key alliance between Roxas and Gomez in the city. 

Gomez will be facing a tough 2016 battle against ally turned foe Vice Mayor Francis Zamora who is running against her. 

The Zamoras are supporting Senator Grace Poe’s presidential bid. 

But Gomez endorsement comes with a lot of buts.

The Estrada-Ejercito clan, headed by ousted-president-turned-Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, has yet to decide on who to support in 2016. 

Estrada himself seems to be inclined to support either Poe or UNA standard-bearer Vice President Jejomar Binay. 

While Poe is close to the Estradas, Gomez says she is too much of a newbie for the presidency. 

San Juan is not exactly vote rich. But in 2010, Roxas lost in the city  with 20,000 votes compared to the 29,000 Binay received. 

Will Gomez endorsement lead to other opposition mayors following suite? 

More importantly, will Gomez’s endorsement eventually lead to a nod from the entire Estrada Ejercito clan?

We find out in a month’s time.  

Bea Cupin, Rappler, San Juan.