MVP breaks silence on VP bid

MANILA, Philippines —  Businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan thanked Vice President Jejomar Binay for considering him as running mate in the 2016 presidential elections, but he is likely to refuse the offer.

"Thank you," Pangilinan said in a interview aired over TV5 Wednesday night. "Negosyo at sports lang, simple lang naman e."

The tycoon, who counts major telecommunications, mining and media firms among his business interests, said he is not planning to enter politics anytime soon.

"Wala naman akong alam sa politics, 'di ba?" Pangilinan added.

He said that the statement is not a snub to Binay, whom he calls his "good friend."

Binay said he wants to ask someone experienced in the private sector to become vice president as he pursues the presidency.

"Kung mayroon kang successful businessman, may track record kung paano mag-raise ng revenue sa business side of it. Iyon ang talent niya," Binay said explaining why Pangilnan is among his top choices.

He clarified, however, that there are no formal talks yet with Pangilinan despite reports that the businessman is apparently interested in a political post.

Binay said it is still too early to talk about the 2016 elections, before which he still has many things to do under President Aquino's administration.

Detained Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, meanwhile, said in jest that the initials "MVP" mentioned by Binay could also mean "Most Valuable Prisoner."

Binay had said Estrada, his colleague in the United Nationalist Alliance, is still among his choices for vice president.

Pangilinan is the chair of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, which owns MediaQuest Holdings, Inc. MediaQuest owns a majority stake in The Philippine STAR.