Sen. Estrada to run for vice president if asked by Binay
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said he would “most likely” accept an offer to run for vice president in 2016 if the offer would come from incumbent Vice President Jejomar Binay.
“Most likely kung i-offer e. Kung hindi, ano ang magagawa ko? Kung i-offer, kung hindi wala tayong magagawa,” Estrada said at a forum in the Senate on Thursday.
(Most likely, if it’s offered. If not, what can I do? If it’s offered but if not, we can’t do anything)
Asked if he would offer himself to Binay, Estrada said: “Hindi ako ganun, ’no? (I would not do such thing, would I?)
The senator though clarified that he would only consider running for vice president with Binay as his running mate.
“Ah hindi. Kay Vice President lang (No. I am only going for the Vice President),” when asked again if he was willing to run with other presidential bets.
If there was no offer from Binay, then Estrada said, he would bow out of politics and return as a private citizen.
But while waiting for Binay’s decision, the senator has started making the rounds all over the country. He claimed the public gave him “warmer” reception despite allegations that he took “pork” kickbacks.
He admitted though that when the scam broke out, he was hesitant to go out especially in Metro Manila.
“Sa Senate obligado ako dahil mayroon akong trabaho. Pero hindi mo malaman ang magiging reaksyon ng taumbayan sa iyo, kapag nakikita ka sa labas. Ako umiiwas muna ako. I seldom go to parties. Minsan nire-reject ko na ang mga imbitasyon para sa akin,” said the senator.
(In the Senate, I am obliged to report to work. But you don’t know how the public will react to you when they see you outside. So I avoided (going out). I seldom go to parties. I sometimes rejected some invitations)
“After a few days, or a few months, inisip ko rin na bakit ako magkukulong sa bahay? I have to test the waters. Ang ginawa ko, I went out of my way to go to the provinces to accept invitation, go out, meddle with people. Wala naman ding nabago. The reception of the people towards me is warmer than before,” he said.
(After a few days, or a few months, I realized why do I have to restrict myself inside the house? I have to test the waters. So what I did, I went out of my way to go to the provinces to accept invitation, go out, meddle with people. Nothing has changed. The reception of the people towards me is warmer than before)
Estrada said the pork scam was a non-issue in the countryside but said he still has to explain it to them.
Asked again if he has enough support and machinery to launch a national campaign, the senator said: “Modesty aside, I think so.”
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