Mayor Binay laughs off rumors of Erap quitting race

Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay has laughed off rumors that former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada is planning to withdraw from the presidential race, saying only a disqualification can stop the former chief executive from reclaiming the highest post in the land. In an exclusive interview with the Manila Bulletin, Binay said their tandem’s standing on pre-election surveys and the triviality of the disqualification cases filed against Estrada are reasons enough for the former president to pursue his political fight.

“Even with the pendency of the disqualification cases against President Erap, he was in high spirits. He knew that it will not prosper, so whoever is floating these rumors are only threatened by President Erap’s winnability as a candidate. All of these are plain rumor mongering. President Erap is not withdrawing from the race,” Binay said.

Claiming the Estrada-Binay tandem is stronger than ever and the team to beat in the May elections, Binay confirmed rumors that they are being invited to be endorsed by the Liberal Party faction led by Environment Secretary Lito Atienza.

According to Binay’s spokesperson, Joey Salgado, the initiative of the LP-Atienza wing only confirms their claim that other parties believe in the formidability of the Estrada-Binay tandem, apart from the warm reception of the public in provincial sorties they do for their “Lakbay Pasasalamat.” By KRIS BAYOS