Aquino says endorsing Binay unlikely

How can Vice President Jejomar Binay ask for my endorsement when he has been running under another party? That was the gist of President Benigno Aquino III’s statement on Thursday.

READ: Binay still hoping for Aquino endorsement

Speaking before media in Iloilo, Aquino said he did not want to be “presumptuous” saying that Binay wanted his support.

“Hindi ako klaro kasi hinahanap ba niya ang suporta ko? Dahil 2010 ibang grupo siya tumakbo, 2013 nanguna rin siya ng ibang grupo so pagdating ng 2016 magkasama kami?” he said during the televised interview. “Parang, ‘di ba, parang patungo pala siya sa amin parang medyo ang layo ng kurba para makarating.”

(It is not clear if he is really seeking my support. Because in 2010 he ran under another group, in 2013 he also led another group so in 2016 we’ll be in the same party? If he eventually wants to join us, he seems to be aiming in a different direction.)

READ: Palace mum as Binay seeks Aquino backing

The President said the only support he can give Binay was to ensure peaceful and credible elections in 2016.

On Wednesday, Binay said he still hoped that Aquino would consider him as his preferred successor.

Aquino has yet to announce who he has chosen as Liberal Party’s standard bearer, despite LP members backing Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. However, he has recently discussed his reform agenda with Senator Grace Poe, who has been ranking second in the election polls, next to Binay.

In 2010, he ran as Manila mayor and former President Joseph Estrada’s runningmate. They ran under the banner of Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). Estrada lost to Aquino while Binay won against Roxas.

In 2013, the PDP-Laban and Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino formed the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). Binay’s daughter Nancy ran under UNA’s senatorial slate.

Binay will be running as UNA’s presidential candidate in 2016.

READ: It’s official: UNA will be Binay’s party in 2016