Binay embarks on 3-day tour of Quezon province

MANILA, Philippines - In what seemed a prelude to a campaign for the 2010 polls, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay embarked on a three-day visit to Quezon province to announce his presidential bid. A radio report said Thursday that Binay, who is also the president of the United Opposition, arrived in Quezon on Wednesday “to reach out to the masses" and would be staying there until Friday. A radio dzXL report said that upon his arrival, Binay immediately signed a memorandum of agreement with the local officials in the province, declaring the cities of Makati and Lucena as “sister cities." During his trip, Binay announced his intention to battle it out in the 2010 presidential elections. The radio report quoted officials from the province’s 33 municipalities as welcoming the Makati mayor’s announcement. On his second day in Quezon, Binay dropped by a public market in Lucena City and even had breakfast at an eatery there. Aside from Lucena City, Binay also visited Tayabas City and the towns of Tiaong, Candelaria, and Lucban. Binay had also participated in a public consultation with locals from different sectors in the province. During the consultation, Binay boasted of the achievements of the Makati City government under his term. Former President Joseph Estrada had already said Binay was “qualified" to become a president, but clarified that the United Opposition (UNO) has yet to determine its standard bearer for the upcoming polls. “Malaki ang paghanga ko kay Binay dahil nagawa niyang premiere city ang Makati," Estrada said in a radio interview on Thursday, citing health and education benefits being enjoyed both by children and elderly. “Alagang-alaga niya ang kabataan, senior citizens, and peace and order. Talagang mahal na mahal iyan ng mga taga-Makati," Estrada said. Obama? When asked to comment about Binay being called the “Barack Obama of the Philippines," Estrada could only say in jest, “Dark brown naman siya, hindi black (He's dark brown, not black)." Estrada however reiterated his earlier statements that until now, the UNO has yet to select its standard bearer. Malacañang has already distanced itself from Binay’s announcement, saying it was “too early" to be discussing “people’s political ambitions" for the 2010 polls. Aside from Binay, those reported to be eyeing the presidency in 2010 include Vice President Manuel “Noli" de Castro, Senators Manuel “Manny" Villar, Manuel “Mar" Roxas II, Panfilo Lacson, Richard Gordon, Loren Legarda, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chair Bayani Fernando, and Jesus Is Lord Movement leader Bro. Eddie Villanueva. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV