EXHIBIT 31.1
I, Aurelio Alemán, certify that:
| 1. | I have reviewed this Form 10-K/A of First BanCorp.; and |
| 2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report. |
| Date: April 1, 2013 | By: | /s/ Aurelio Alemán | ||||
| Aurelio Alemán | ||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
