Is the search over? DETAINED SENATOR ESTRADA WILLING TO BE VP TO BINAY

By Michael Punongbayan

The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada will not hesitate to accept an offer to team up with Vice President Jejomar Binay for the 2016 presidential elections.

“Why not,” he told reporters yesterday when asked if he is ready to accept an invitation to be Binay’s runningmate in next year’s national elections.

Estrada spoke on the sidelines of his bail hearing at the Sandiganbayan, where he is on trial for plunder and graft for his alleged involvement in the pork barrel fund scam. But he stressed he intends to get over his legal problems first before thinking of running for public office.

Asked to comment on Sen. JV Ejercito’s declaring his support for Sen. Grace Poe if she runs for president, Estrada said his half brother is entitled to his own opinion, which “is not binding with decision of the father or with the family.”

But Estrada said he was not shunning Poe. “That may be his (JV) own decision. But I am not saying for myself that I am not supporting Sen. Grace or Vice President Binay or whoever the potential candidates. In due time, maybe,” he said.

(Photo credit: VP Binay and Sen. Estrada composite photo downloaded from philstar.com)