CEBU CITY, Philippines?Former President Joseph Estrada, who recently launched a new bid to recapature the presidency, cannot count on the support of his erstwhile Cebuano ally, former Senator John Osmeña, this time.

"Sorry na lang; I am already committed to support Noynoy (Sen. Benigno Aquino III) and Mar (Sen. Manuel Roxas II)," Osmeña said in an interview on Thursday.

During the 1998 presidential election, Osmeña supported Estrada, who ran against several opponents, including Osmeña's younger brother Emilio "Lito" Osmeña, former governor of Cebu.

Estrada did not win in Cebu, which voted overwhelmingly for the former governor.

John Osmeña said also that he believed Estrada should not run again because of the legal questions surrounding his candidacy.

He said he had advised the former President against running again.

Estrada's move would work against the interest of the opposition especially since his votes would be wasted if the Supreme Court disqualifies him in the end, Osmeña added.

According to Osmeña, the opposition group Panaghiusa, to which he belongs, will support the tandem of Aquino and Roxas.

Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez Jr., a former ally of President Macapagal-Arroyo, also belongs to the Panaghiusa.

Meanwhile, the group of Mactan Island Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Efrain Pelaez Jr. has also signified support for Aquino and Roxas.

During a press conference on Friday, Pelaez said his group, called Kalihukan sa Katawhan alang sa Kalamboan (People's Movement for Development), plans to seek affilliation with the Liberal Party.

Pelaez said he plans to run for mayor of Lapu-Lapu City.