Erap insists he's not interested in running for president in 2016

(Updated 10:34 p.m.) Former president and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Wednesday belied Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV's claim that he is interested in seeking the presidency in next year's elections, GMA News TV's Balita Pilipinas has reported.

Interviewed after filing his certificate of candidacy for mayor in Manila, Estrada clarified that he will only run for president if Vice President Jejomar Binay, the opposition's standard bearer, or Senator Grace Poe got disqualified from running.

However, he said this is highly unlikely, noting that if one of the two got disqualified, somebody from the opposition will surely rise to replace them.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9984, candidates belonging to and nominated by the same coalition may replace candidates who die, withdraw from or are disqualified after the last day of filing for COCs.

"Ang mangyayari ay yung kandidato ngayon ay pwedeng mag-withdraw, tapos pwede siyang palitan ng ka-partido," Bautista said in an interview aired on GMA News' "24 Oras."

Binay and Estrada are coalition partners under the United Nationalist Alliance and were running mates in the 2010 national elections.

Meanwhile, Poe is Estrada's goddaughter and the daughter of his late friend, actor-turned-presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr.

Estrada, whose presidency was cut short in 2000 following allegations of corruption, previously said he was torn between supporting Binay and Poe, adding he will support whoever who can give more benefits to the poor.

Estrada sought the presidency in 2010 but lost to Benigno Aquino III

Trillanes told reporters over the phone on Tuesday that Estrada may replace Binay if Binay's ratings continue to plummet. He then speculated that Binay, Estrada, and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may eventually join forces. —Rie Takumi/KBK/NB, GMA News