Binay mum on possible tandem with Bongbong

MANILA, Philippines - Vice President Jejomar Binay remains mum on who his running mate will be in the 2016 presidential elections.

In an interview with reporters in Makati City yesterday, Binay refused to confirm reports that he is running alongside Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator.

“Let’s just wait for his (Marcos) announcement,” Binay said. 

But when asked about the possibility of a Binay-Marcos tandem, the Vice President said from 91 percent it is now 91.5 percent.

Binay has yet to name a running mate with less than two weeks before the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC). 

Marcos earlier denied a report by The STAR that he will be announcing his presidential bid in vote-rich Pangasinan this weekend.  

Binay also declined to disclose the senatorial candidates of his political party, the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA). 

Asked if UNA is open to accepting guest candidates should the party fail to fill the 12 senatorial slots, Binay said UNA is open to those who want to join the party, but no one will be forced.

The Vice President also backed proposals to increase the campaign spending of candidates.

“Let’s make it realistic. It’s just like our worker’s salary,” he said.

Binay mum on Roxas’ ratings 

Binay also commented on the latest Pulse Asia poll on presidential preference, saying he is thankful to the people who continue to support him.

But Binay did not answer when asked to comment on the improving ratings of his rival in the presidential race, former interior secretary Manuel Roxas II. 

“Don’t pit us against each other,” he said in Filipino.

The Vice President also said he would not change his campaign strategy despite the surge of Roxas’ ratings in pre-election survey.

Roxas was also Binay’s rival in the vice presidential election in 2010. 

Binay was a guest at the 22nd National PR Congress at the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati yesterday.

Malou Tiquia, founder and general manager of PUBliCUS Asia Inc., said Sen. Grace Poe and administration presidential bet Roxas were also invited to the event. Roxas had a prior commitment, while Poe begged off. 

The three presidential aspirants were supposed to answer three questions from PR practitioners. The media, however, were not allowed to cover the question and answer portion. 

But Tiquia said the three questions that would be asked were: Who are you? Why are you running, and Why should we vote for you?

Camarines Sur Rep. Wimpy Fuentebella maintained yesterday that his family will support Binay’s presidential bid. Fuentebella is a member of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

“I believe that Vice President Binay’s track record as a compassionate human rights lawyer, an accomplished executive, and a humble public servant augurs well for the development and change the country needs. He will always have my respect and unflinching support,” he said.