Estrada’s absence at UNA rites ‘understandable’ – Nancy Binay

SENATOR Nancy Binay on Wednesday said the absence of Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada at the formal launch of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) was understandable, noting that her family’s relationship with the former president has always been well and stable.

“Ang pinaka-busy na trabaho ay ‘yung pagiging mayor. It’s a 24/7 job and lalo na ‘yung hawak na (lungsod) ni Presidente Erap eh ‘yung Maynila. So understandable na I guess meron siyang ibang mas importanteng lakad,” Binay said in an interview with reporters.

Binay also said Estrada, one of the so-called “three kings” of UNA along with Senator Juan Ponce Enrile and now UNA chairman Vice President Jejomar Binay, has his own political party.

“I guess understandable kasi may sarili rin namang partido si Presidente, ‘yung PMP (Partido ng Masang Pilipino). During the 2013 election, there was a merger between the PMP and PDP (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan) tapos ‘yun ‘yung UNA. After 2013 ‘yung partidong UNA nag-apply na on its own as a political party,” she added.

The lady senator also dismissed rumors that the Binay family’s relationship with Estrada is on the rocks.

“In fact, a few weeks back nag-lunch kami sa office ni Mayor Erap, then after that I think nag-lunch din sa bahay, and kami ng mother ko we attended birthday celebration ni Tita Loi (Ejercito). So I guess parang ginagawan lang ng intriga ‘yung samahan namin,” she added.

Calling the UNA gathering as an “organizational meeting,” Binay said the opposition party is yet to conduct more events in the coming months.

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