Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay has agreed to take the backseat to allow former President Joseph Estrada to seek re-election in 2010.

Binay told The STAR editors and executives led by president and chief executive officer Miguel G. Belmonte last Monday that he would slide down to become the running mate of Estrada should he decide to seek re-election.

“Once President Estrada runs, I will seek the vice presidency. I hope he will choose me. One must first be a good follower before he becomes a good leader,” Binay said.

Among the presidential wannabes, Binay said he could consider himself as a true-blooded opposition.

Binay said he became a member of PDP-Laban, the political party that stood up against the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, and still owes allegiance to the party and never switched sides.

Binay said some presidential wannabes like Senators Francis Escudero, Manuel Roxas II and Manuel Villar Jr. who belong to different political parties and remain critics of President Arroyo are really “allies of the administration.”

He said the administration would likely court them as possible standard-bearers.

Binay added he would not run for senator since he does not have experience in legislative work.

“I am still thinking about the presidency. But I’m pretty sure of running for vice president. But I will not run for a position lower than vice president. I will not run for senator... I would rather rest,” he said.

Binay said he is more comfortable being an executive than a lawmaker, citing his experience as Makati’s chief executive for 24 years.

“I can say that among the presidentiables, President Estrada and I could be considered as champions in local governance, having served for several decades as mayor,” he said.

Binay said the proper approach to the country’s problems is to make the local government units more dynamic and progressive.

With the full support of the local governments, the country will definitely progress, he said.

Binay added Estrada has good chances of winning the presidency again, citing the growing interest of the people with the former leader.

For his part, Estrada said it is too early to tell Binay’s fate for 2010.

“It is too early to react,” Estrada said. “I believe that Mayor Binay is also one of the most qualified among the presidentiables of the opposition because of his experience as local chief executive.”

Estrada said Binay has made Makati one of the premiere cities in the world.

“He is highly qualified for president,” Estrada said.

Estrada’s party, the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), declared that they are already preparing for the return of the former leader to Malacañang.

PMP director for political affairs Pablo Casimina said the party is already poised to officially declare its standard-bearer for the 2010 presidential elections.

In the same statement, the PMP said “the people manifested their full support to President Estrada to be the sure winner in order to restore peace and order and good governance for the benefit of the masses.”

Binay, on the other hand, urged security forces to remain neutral in next year’s elections.

Binay cited the announcement made by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday creating a task force to investigate and prevent attacks on elected government officials.

“When police officers support candidates, there is political tension in a locality. The tension rises if police officers use their authority to harass opponents and supporters of their favored candidates, tolerate violation of election laws, or allow their men to serve as bodyguards during the campaign,” Binay said.

He said the objective of the task force would not be met if the PNP leadership tolerates the political interests of its members.

“If the PNP is serious about this campaign, it should start in its own backyard. It should act decisively and swiftly on these erring police officers,” he said.