Erap-Binay coalition open to accepting 'graft-free' ex-Arroyo allies

The corrupt are not welcome.  Former President Joseph Estrada on Tuesday said his newly formed coalition with Vice President Jejomar Binay is open to accepting former allies of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as long as they were not involved in any corruption scandals during her term. "Kahit na ally ni GMA ay dapat hindi involved, hindi nakasangkot sa mga katiwalian, sa graft and corruption nung administration ni GMA (Arroyo’s initials)," Estrada told GMA News anchor and online editor Howie Severino in an interview. Estrada's Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) has formed the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) with Binay's Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban). In 2010, under their previous coalition United Opposition (UNO), Estrada, who was PMP’s president, ran for president with Binay, chairman of PDP-Laban, as his running-mate. For the 2013 midterm elections, UNA will reportedly field Estrada's son and San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito, Cagayan Rep. Jack Enrile, Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay, former senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Kit Tatad and Ernesto Maceda, and incumbent senators Francis Escudero, Loren Legarda, Koko Pimentel, and defeated senatorial bet Joey de Venecia, a son of former House Speaker Joe de Venecia. UNA is also inviting former Las Piñas Rep. Cynthia Villar, and Senators Gregorio Honasan and Alan Peter Cayetano to run under the coalition. Earlier, Pimentel said he does not have a problem running alongside Magsaysay, a known supporter of Mrs. Arroyo, who was catapulted to Malacañang through an uprising in 2001 that ended Estrada's three-year-old administration.  Pimentel, however, said he does not wish to be on the same slate as "notoriously corrupt" politicians.  He did not identify the said personalities but specifically said that he will not run with Zubiri. Zubiri, who was proclaimed by the Commission on Elections as the 12th winning senator four years ago, resigned last August 3 from the Senate amid mounting testimony of alleged fraud during the 2007 polls.  He was replaced by Pimentel, who had filed an electoral protest against him. Binay had earlier defended Zubiri.  Estrada, for his part, noted that the line-up is not yet final. "’Yan ay mga tentative lang ‘yan, pag-uusapan pa namin ‘yan... ‘di pa pormal na nagko-convene ang PDP and PMP," he said on Tuesday. On Monday night, Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao joined PDP-Laban, leaving President Benigno Aquino III's Liberal Party.  The boxing champion is expected to run as governor in his province next year. Estrada said Pacquiao's move was an easy decision because he and Binay had been friends with the boxer even before he became famous. On the other hand, the former President said UNA will probably field Binay in the 2016 presidential elections. "Wala naman panglaban kami kundi si vice president," he said. "He's very fit mentally and physically and pati sa experience as public official, he has been the longest mayor of Makati." As for his own plans in 2013, Estrada said he has yet to decide whether he will run as mayor of Manila. "Malalim ko pang pinag-iisipan dahil maraming taga-Maynila na pinipilit ako na tumakbo dahil nga ang Maynila ay napag-iwanan na," he said. "Wala na tayo ambisyon [pero] kung hiningi pa ng taongbayan ang aking serbisyo, sino ako para tumanggi?" he added. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK/HS, GMA News