Binay will run, just the same

Vice President Jejomar Binay. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) stressed on Tuesday that, with or without the endorsement of President Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay will run for president under the opposition coalition.

“The Vice President will definitely run as the UNA standard-bearer. President Aquino’s anointment is not a precondition to his candidacy,” said Navotas Rep. and UNA secretary-general Tobias Tiangco.

UNA is the coalition that Binay formed with deposed president and convicted plunderer Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and detained Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile.

“As a family friend, the Vice President is open to P-Noy’s personal endorsement. So, if ever P-Noy personally endorses VP Binay, it will be up to the Liberal Party members if they will follow P-Noy or not,” said Tiangco.

Binay’s spokesman, Joey Salgado, on Tuesday also made it clear that whether or not he is anointed by Aquino in the 2016 presidential race, Binay is running for president as the candidate of the opposition.

“The VP will run in 2016 as candidate of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA)… whether or not the President anoints him,” Salgado said.

He also made it clear that Binay was “not actively seeking” Aquino’s endorsement but that “it will be welcome if given, considering the strong personal ties between the Binays and the Aquinos.”

Salgado also clarified that Binay did not hear any talk about him being adopted as the Liberal Party standard bearer and that it was just “a possible scenario.”

Tiangco on Tuesday also clarified that Binay’s possible adoption as a guest candidate was just one of the scenarios being mulled by the ruling LP and no formal offers or talks have been made concerning this setup.