Has DILG Secretary Mar Roxas’ mother started campaigning for him?

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While Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas has not yet confirmed his presidential bid for 2016, his mother has already started campaigning for him.

Judy Araneta-Roxas hosted a dinner for local officials at their ancestral house in Bago City on Saturday evening.

More than 250 local officials were present during the event.

Mrs. Roxas said her son could help in the progress of Negros, adding that he has big dreams for the province.

Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr. of Negros Occidental, a supporter of Roxas, said he has already encouraged his friends and relatives to support the Cabinet Secretary. He noted Roxas has no graft and corruption issues dogging him.

Maranon also assured Roxas will win in the province if he’ll run as president in 2016.

Negros Occidental has around 1.5 million registered voters and is considered one of the country’s vote-rich provinces.

President Benigno Aquino III said last week Roxas remains his top presidential bet for 2016.

The members of the administration Liberal Party is pushing for a Roxas tandem with Senator Grace Poe, which they said would be a formidable team-up for 2016.

Poe, for her part, admitted she was asked by Roxas to become his vice presidential candidate. Poe, however, is also reportedly eyeing the top post.

Roxas, who gave way to Aquino in 2010, later lost to Vice President Jejomar Binay.

This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.