VP Binay's plans in 2016 undeterred by UNA's performance in 2013 polls

His coalition's below average performance in the latest Senate race did not seem to discourage Vice President Jejomar Binay from seeking the presidency in 2016.

"Let me just restate [na] hindi ho ako magpapaka-ipokrito. Ako ho ay nagbabalak, nangangarap ho akong magkandidato sa 2016 sa pagkapangulo," Binay told reporters in an interview Tuesday.

But for the meantime, he said he will just focus on his responsibilities as vice president.

"Ang plano ko sa 2016 magkakandidato, pero magtrabaho muna tayo ngayon. 'Yung iniatang na responsibilidad ko ni Pangulong Noynoy ay dapat gampanan ko. I have to work as the vice president and as a Cabinet member," Binay said.

Binay's daughter Nancy, San Juan Rep. JV Ejercito, and re-electionist Gregorio Honasan are the only candidates under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) who are poised to get Senate seats based on unofficial tallies as of Tuesday afternoon.

Binay, however, didn't seem to mind this, saying at least it prevented the administration from sweeping the senatorial election.

He also said he has no plans of going against President Benigno Aquino III just because of the elections.

"Matatag 'yung samahan namin ni Pangulo... kasintatag ng samahan ng pamilya nila at ng pamilya namin. So, ito naman eleksiyon lang wala namang personalan dito," he said.

Binay is a stalwart of UNA, along with Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and former President and now Manila Mayor-elect Joseph Estrada.

A Makati mayor for several terms before getting elected vice president in 2010, Binay is close to Aquino's mother, the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino. — Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMA News