Binay told reporters that the organization of the new party is already in place, but that the launch will have to be deferred to later in the year.
“Ang panahon ngayon ay panahon ng Napoles,” he said, referring to alleged scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles. “Mahirap makisiksik pa sa mga ganoong isyu.”
Binay refused to say who would be joining him in the new party, the creation of which was announced after the vice president said he was leaving Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in February.
Binay is president of the United Nationalist Alliance, which comprises PDP-Laban and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada-led Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino.
“Since aalis na si VP from PDP-Laban, walang magiging partner party ang PMP. ‘Yun naman ang itatayo namin,” UNA Secretary-General Toby Tiangco, congressman for Navotas, said in February. He said then that the new party would be launched on June 12, Philippine Independence Day.
Binay, who has openly said he plans to run for president in the 2016 national elections, said he has yet to pick a vice-presidential candidate.
“Ang layo layo pa ng 2016,” he said. — JDS, GMA News
