MANILA, Philippines - Former President Joseph Estrada on Friday urged his running mate, Vice-President-elect Jejomar Binay, to rethink his position not to accept any Cabinet post in the Aquino administration.

In an interview, Estrada said Aquino's offer that Binay lead a new government office investigating corruption scandals linked to President Arroyo is "tailor-made" for the new vice-president.

"Kulang na kulang yun certainty of punishment sa mga corrupt officials ngayon. Kailangan talaga meron isang crimebuster, at pwede ito gampanan ni vice-president-elect Binay because he is a lawyer. Tailor-made para sa kanya ito, being a lawyer. Sa dami ng corrupt ngayon sa gobyerno, makakatulong siya if he would have a hand in prosecuting these cases. Kung mahuli niya yun mga 'tongpats' at corrupt officials, makakatulong siya sa administrasyon," he said.

Estrada said the power to appoint Cabinet officials rests solely on the president, and that the vice-president should accept any position offered to him as long as it benefits the nation.

He said that when he was vice-president to President Fidel Ramos, he accepted the offer to head the newly formed Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC).

Now that the elections are over, Estrada said Binay should set politics aside and look beyond the fact that he is not affiliated with the Liberal Party (LP) of President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III.

Estrada revealed that Binay did not outright reject Aquino's offer, but had asked for time to think it over.

"As of now, kasi ang daming intriga. Para bang nagmamakaawa siya na bigyan siya ng pwesto kaya di siya tatanggap. Pero yung maging chairman ng komisyon, pag-aaralan at pag-iisipan pa niya," he said.

The former president also refused to comment on the Sen. Aquilino Pimentel's statement that Aquino's running mate and defeated vice-presidential bet, Mar Roxas, is working to create a rift between Aquino and Binay.

Estrada said Pimentel has no evidence that will support his claims.

Binay sticks to his guns

Despite Estrada's advice, Binay reiterated that he will not accept any Cabinet post for now since it was causing problems for the president-elect. He added that he wanted to work full-time as vice-president.

"Kahit isandaang beses pa, sasabihin ko sa inyo, gusto ko na lang manungkulan. Huwag na natin pahirapan ang pangulo sa paghahanap ng pwesto ko," he said.

He also clarified that his refusal to handle the commission that would investigate Arroyo does not mean that he is afraid of the outgoing president. He said the position was one of 4 offered to him by President-elect Aquino, all of which he refused.

Aside froom the presidential commission, Binay said he was offered 3 other government posts--the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

Binay previously held the MMDA post during the terms of Presidents Cory Aquino and Joseph Estrada.

The vice-president, meanwhile, hinted that one reason why he refused to accept any Cabinet post was because of possible criticism from people surrounding Aquino.

A reporter told Binay that as a lawyer and an opposition figure, he was perfect to head a presidential commission that will  pursue corruption cases.

Binay responded by saying: "Sa palagay mo iyan. E yun sa palagay ng mga nakaikot sa kanya [Aquino], ano kaya palagay nila?"