MANILA, Philippines -- Although he can campaign on his own, Makati Mayor and declared presidential aspirant Jejomar Binay admitted he would also want the endorsement of former president Joseph Estrada.

Earlier, Estrada said he was likely to endorse Senator Loren Legarda if she tops the surveys approaching Election Day next year.

But the Makati mayor said he would like get the former president’s blessing if Estrada’s endorsement is based on "loyalty."

"Sa hirap at sa ginhawa, harap at likod, kaliwa o kanan, kung loyalty at samahan lang, matingkad na ako kay Erap [In bad and good times, in front and in back, left or right, if loyalty and camaraderie are the bases, I would shine brighter in Estrada’s eyes]," Binay told a press conference Tuesday.

"Hindi ako sumama sa EDSA 2 [I did not join EDSA 2]," the 2001 popular uprising that ousted Estrada and replaced him with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Binay said. "Kung 'yun ang batayan, sana mas matimbang na ako [If that is the basis, then I would be at an advantage]."

But Binay said he would accept Estrada’s decision and still be able to take care of his campaign.

Legarda was among the senators in 2001 who voted for the opening of an envelope that would supposedly prove allegations that Estrada had amassed millions of pesos in ill-gotten wealth and stashed it in a secret account.

The refusal of the then Senate majority led to a walkout of impeachment prosecutors and television footage showed a weeping Legarda. The incident triggered EDSA 2.