Binay considers Duterte as running mate

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay on Thursday admitted that his "search committee" is considering Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as his running mate for the upcoming 2016 elections.

However, the vice president clarified that he has not yet chosen his running mate.

''But one thing sure is, si Mayor Duterte is very, very qualified, a model local government official,'' Binay told members of the press.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada earlier revealed that the United Nationalist Alliance is wooing Duterte to run for vice president in the 2016 polls.

"I think Vice President Binay has offered the slot of vice presidency to Mayor Duterte. I think hindi pa yata sila nagka-ayusan," Estrada said in a television interview with TV5.

Duterte himself is a possible presidential bet. He currently ranks third or fourth in the latest presidential preference surveys.

READ: Infographic: Ratings of possible 2016 presidential bets

Meanwhile, a coalition between the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan and Partido Manggagawa at Magsasaka is set to launch the tandem of Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos and Duterte next year.

Duterte has repeatedly denied that he will run for president in the forthcoming national elections.

A few months ago, the Davao City mayor said that he will only run for president if he surpasses the survey ratings of Binay, who was topping the presidential surveys back then.

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