Enrile, Jinggoy confirm Erap-Binay tandem

As far as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile is concerned, former President Joseph Estrada is definitely running in the 2010 presidential elections. And Estrada's running mate? Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay.

Interviewed by Senate reporters Tuesday, Enrile said it would be a matter of time before Estrada formally announces his tandem with Binay in next year's polls. "Sa palagay ko done deal na yun (I believe it is already a done deal)," said Enrile, chairman emeritus of Estrada's Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) party. Binay is concurrent president of PDP-Laban of the United Opposition (UNO), composed of political groups critical of the Arroyo administration. Estrada's son, Senate President Pro Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, confirmed the tandem of his father with Binay. "Yes, it is," was the younger Estrada's reply when asked about the tandem. Fighting cocks Enrile likened the Erap-Binay tandem to Texas fighting cocks. "Magagaling, kung sa pintakasi yan ay meron din kaming manok na Texas. Alam mo itong eleksyon na ito, it’s a joust. It is a political joust, maiwan ang matibay," Enrile said. Asked who could be Estrada’s closest rival, Enrile said he cannot say as "everybody is a close rival of Erap (the former president’s nickname)." He added seven months is still a long time in politics. “Many things can still happen." On the other hand, Enrile said Binay should not be underestimated as he can get the votes of the Ilocanos and Ibanags and even the country’s mayors. Still, Enrile said the formal announcement would have to come from Estrada himself. "Alam ko ang petsa pero hindi ko sasabihin, siya lang ang makakapagsabi niyan (I know the date but I wouldn’t tell you, only Estrada can divulge it)." Earlier reports have it that Estrada would officially declare his renewed bid for the presidency either on Wednesday [Oct. 14] or a week later on Oct. 21. But in a text message to GMANews.TV Monday, Margaux Salcedo, Estrada’s spokesperson, said the former president will make his announcements at the appropriate time. "He has in fact cancelled all scheduled political activities in light of the recent calamities this week," Salcedo said. "October sana but it may change depending on how fast relief can be brought to those affected by Ondoy and Pepeng." Senate slate In the same interview, Enrile confirmed that he is included in the senatorial slate of the PMP together with Jinggoy. He said he does not know if the late actor Fernando Poe Jr’s daughter, Grace Poe, and Senator Ma Ana Consuelo Madrigal are included in the slate. Madrigal had earlier admitted she was interested in seeking the presidency. "Hindi ko alam kung sino ang mga kasama...hindi ako aktibo sa pagpipili ng ibang kandidato," Enrile said. "Hindi ko alam kung sasama siya sa amin, nababanggit din siya na kasama sa pangkat ni Sen. (Manuel) Villar. Alam ko na nasa pangkat namin siya sumasama dati," Enrile said on the possible candidacy of Poe. On Madrigal, he said he is not convincing her as he knew that she is eyeing the presidency. "Hindi ako nagkukumbinsi ng mga kandidato, mahirap yung nang-aakit ka ng kandidato na sasama sa iyo sa partido dahil responsibility iyon e," Enrile said. Enrile believed that PMP or any other political parties would not be able to have a complete slate and would instead adopt other candidates. "Malamang hindi (makakabuo), merong puwang yan. Kung i-a-adopt ako ng lahat e OK lang sa akin yun. Pati kay Noynoy (Senator Benigno Simeon Aquino III) pag in-adopt ako sasabihin ko ke Noynoy, ‘Salamat Noynoy sa tulong mo’," Enrile said.