Two incumbent officials of Negros Oriental, who will contest the gubernatorial seat in the May 2016 polls, are supporting the bid of Liberal Party presidential standard-bearer Mar Roxas.

Archrivals Gov. Roel Degamo of the National People's Unity/Partido NegOrense and Rep. George Arnaiz (Neg. Or., 2 nd District) of the Nationalist People's Coalition-Liberal Party alliance have announced their support to the former Interior and Local Government secretary, after the filing of their certificates of candidacy last week.

Both said on separate media interviews they believe in Roxas' leadership skills and that he is the best choice among all presidential candidates in next year's polls.

Arnaiz, an NPC stalwart and current NPC provincial chair, pointed out that because of his party's union with the Liberal Party, he expects to be the official candidate for governor of the ruling party.

On his third and final term in Congress, Arnaiz has joined hands with the LP in Negros Oriental, headed by Jocelyn Limkaichong, who is making a return to the 1st district congressional seat which she held for two terms until 2013.

Limkaichong sought the gubernatorial seat in 2013, which was also contested by former 3rd district and former Finance secretary Margarito Teves, who Arnaiz had supported then. Both Limkaichong and Teves lost to Degamo.

Degamo, meanwhile, is confident that even if he will not be the official administration candidate for governor, he will still get the backing of Roxas.

Both were seen together a number of times, especially at the height of the creation of the Negros Island Region.*JG

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