Binay said to be eyeing alliance with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo party

This early, Vice President Jejomar Binay is preparing for a presidential run and is reportedly exploring a tactical alliance with the party of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo initially to field a coalition slate in the 2013 senatorial elections.

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, vice chair of Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), told the Inquirer that Binay, chair of Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), had touched base with the party leadership for a possible fielding of common candidates in the next senatorial elections.

“We are exploring all options, there is nothing definite,” said Suarez in a text message. He confirmed there had been initial talks.

But in a statement, Binay’s camp denied any talks or even plans for a coalition with Lakas-Kampi in the 2013 elections.

“They are just sowing intrigue. Besides, when you enter into coalitions, you consider the positive actions for the strengths that the party brings to the coalition,” the statement said.

Joey Salgado, Binay’s media officer, also denied Suarez’s claim.

“There were no such talks… It’s premature to talk about politics,” Salgado told the Inquirer.

Binay left Saturday night for the United States to attend a two-week international course at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts.

By forming a strong senatorial slate in 2013 composed of popular candidates from other parties except the Liberal Party of President Aquino, Binay, who has the highest approval and trust ratings among elected national officials, is apparently hoping to sustain his momentum up to the 2016 presidential elections.

Even before his inauguration last year, Binay had started to revitalize PDP-Laban with newly minted Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, the party’s president, by forming chapters nationwide.

PDP-Laban had likewise tapped losing senatorial bet Joey de Venecia III, son of former Speaker and Lakas cofounder Jose de Venecia Jr., as its secretary general in September.

In a phone interview, Pimentel said PDP-Laban had indeed started discussions of possible alliances with political parties for the 2013 elections, including with Lakas-Kampi.

Pimentel said that both he and Binay had held exploratory talks with several parties.

“We are open to a tactical alliance with anybody who will adhere to our party principles and we are not disqualifying any party from joining us,” said Pimentel. “It might be too early to sign a coalition agreement but it is never too early to start negotiating for alliances.” With a report from Jerry Esplanada