Opposition should field only one presidential bet – Erap

MANILA, Philippines - The opposition should field only one presidential candidate in the May 2016 general elections, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said yesterday.

Estrada made the statement after personalities from the opposition topped the latest Pulse Asia survey on voters’ preference for president in 2016.

Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance remained the most preferred candidate for president in next year’s polls, according to the March 2015 survey.

Binay’s score slightly improved to 29 percent from 26 percent in November last year.

Sen. Grace Poe came in second with 22 percent, followed by Estrada and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte with 12 percent each.

Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago obtained nine percent, followed by Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with six percent.

Binay, who has been under fire over corruption allegations, remains the opposition’s presidential bet in 2016, according to Estrada.

The mayor, however, said they have yet to decide who will be Binay’s running mate.

Estrada said there are a lot of possible candidates for vice president.

“But in politics, anything can happen,” he said.