BALANGA CITY, Bataan – A daughter of Department of National Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales was the first ever candidate to file her certificate of candidacy (CoC) last Friday to run for a House seat in Bataan’s second district.

Ana Marie Gonzales, a lawyer, of the Partido Socialismong Demokratikong Pilipino (PDSP), has filed her CoC at the Provincial Comelec office here, said Atty. Elmo Duque, Comelec provincial supervisor.

Gonzales was accompanied by a group of opposition leaders in Bataan led by former Governor Leonardo “Ding” Roman, former Vice Gov. Rogelio Roque, former Balanga City mayor Melanio Banzon, all defeated candidates in the May, 2004 and 2007 elections; Mayor Nelson David of Limay town, who is said to be running for governor, among others.

The young Gonzales, 31, will face incumbent congressman Abet S. Garcia, Lakas-Kampi, eldest son of Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia.

This was the second time around that Gonzales threw her hat into the political arena after she was defeated when she challenged Rep. Garcia in May, 2007 elections.

Roman, after serving as governor for at least 16 years, ran for a House seat in 2004 but was defeated by Rep. Garcia. In the May, 2007 polls, Roman ran for governor but lost to Gov. Garcia.

The group of Gov. Garcia is searching for a candidate to run against Rep. Minia Roman for the first district. But Gov. Garcia said that if there is no viable candidate, his daughter Gila will challenge Rep. Roman.