Following reports of the defection of some of its House allies particularly from the party-list group, the Liberal Party said more local politicians and political leaders are expected to declare support for the candidacy of its standard-bearer Mar Roxas and his runningmate Leni Robredo.
“Just wait. We expect that this week and next week, there will be local leaders and other leaders of the country who will come out and declare support for Secretary Mar Roxas,” vowed Rep. Barry Gutierrez, LP spokesman for campaign.
Gutierrez said scenario in the past few days wherein a lot of local officials unexpectedly declare support for Mar Roxas is just an appetizer of what they expect to gain in the coming days.
He is referring to the statement of support of two staunch allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo:
former Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita whose family is very influential in the first district of Batangas and Gov. Lilia Pineda who is a major political player in Pampanga.
The biggest show of support that Roxas had, according to Gutierrez, was the declaration of support of more than 50 local officials from the so-called Solid North, led by Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Eric Singson and top officials of Pangasinan, Abra and La Union.
Aside from them, some of the unexpected politicians who declared support for Roxas were Isabela Gov. Bodjie Dy and San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez.
“Last week, you have already seen the declarations of the governors and some congressmen in areas visited by Secretary Mar and Rep. Leni Robredo,” said Gutierrez.