Jinggoy says he won't run for vice president in 2010

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  – Sen. Jinggoy Estrada yesterday doused speculations that he will run for vice president in 2010.

Before heading to Estancia town where he was the commencement speaker of the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College, Estrada told reporters that he will instead seek reelection next year.

“None of the above” was the senator’s reply when asked whether he will run for president or vice president.

He denied reports that he will be Sen. Francis Escudero’s running mate and insisted he has never indicated any intention to run for such position.

However, he added that he is not ruling out the possibility of running for a higher post.

“I’m not here to campaign; the elections are still a long way off,” he clarified.

Meantime, Estrada called on the Philippine National Police to also charge children carrying toy guns.

This is in relation to the PNP’s investigation on possible charges that can be filed against his father, pardoned former President Joseph Estrada, for joining a parade last March 4 in Carmen, Cebu on board a World War II vintage jeep mounted with a replica 30-caliber machine gun.

“It’s a very petty issue,” he said, pointing out that “the gun was just a replica.”

The former president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay, president of the United Opposition, joined the parade organized by the local town mayor as part of the former’s nationwide “Lakbay Pasasalamat” tour to thank supporters after he was pardoned by President Arroyo following his conviction of plunder.

No effect

In a related development, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said yesterday his political bid would not be affected even as the Nationalist People’s Coalition dropped his name from the list of possible standard-bearers for the 2010 presidential elections.

This, according to him, is because he would submit himself to the selection process that would be conducted by the administration party, where he considers himself a member being in President Arroyo’s official family.

In an interview after attending the fun bike and tree growing activity at the La Mesa Ecopark in Quezon City yesterday morning, the defense chief said he would not join any selection process other than that of the administration because he considers the Chief Executive as his boss. – With James Mananghaya