Binay on Estrada backing Poe: He must be joking

By: Kristine Angeli Sabillo - 10 years ago

Vice President Jejomar Binay. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines – A hearsay or a joke. That was how Vice President Jejomar Binay regarded Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada’s recent statement on his supposed support for Binay’s potential presidential rival.

The former president on Monday said he owed Senator Grace Poe’s father, the late Fernando Poe Jr., a debt of gratitude. “Why not?” Estrada said when asked if he will support Poe when she runs for higher office.

However, in an ambush interview that same day, the Vice President said, “Alam mo naman madalas nagbibiro si Pangulo (Estrada).”

(You know the former President often jokes.)

When asked if he thinks Estrada was joking, he said, “Ayaw ko lang mag-speculate. Una, nasabi[han] lang ako, nasabi mo. As far as I’m concerned, hearsay ‘yon.”

(I don’t want to speculate. First of all, the report was just relayed to me. As far as I’m concerned, that’s hearsay.)

In the transcript of the interview made available to media, Binay said anything is possible in politics.

He didn’t say if he was dismayed with Estrada’s statement.

Binay was Estrada’s running mate when the ousted president attempted to regain his post in the 2010 national elections.

In the latest Pulse Asia survey, Binay maintained his standing as the leading bet among potential presidential candidates. However, his ratings dropped while Poe’s ranking rose to second place.