ZAMBALES, Philippines – Former senator Luisa “Loi” Estrada, wife of former president and now reelectionist Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, opened her house in Zambales to Vice President Jejomar Binay and other United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) candidates.

Estrada served lunch to Binay, running mate Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II, and their Senate slate in her home on the second day of UNA’s Zambales sortie, which happened to be held in her hometown.

It was unclear, however, if the lunch reception meant she was supporting Binay’s presidential bid. She told reporters that she did not want to be interviewed because her family was “divided” on the upcoming polls.

Binay and former president Estrada ran as a tandem in the 2010 elections. Senator Grace Poe is Mayor Estrada’s goddaughter, and the child of his late best friend, Fernando Poe Jr.

Mayor Estrada has yet to formally endorse a presidential candidate but said in December 2015 he is “very likely” to support Poe.

Meanwhile, San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez, with whom Mayor Estrada has a child, has endorsed Liberal Party standard-bearer Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. Their son, Senator JV Ejercito, has said that he would support Poe.

‘Good sign’

According to Binay ally and former Zambales representative Mitos Magsaysay, she asked Estrada if the former first lady could host the meal because she hails from the municipality of Iba, where UNA had a sortie.

“Bilang isang Zambalaña, nagtanong po kami sa kanya kung puwede siyang mag-host. Dahil busy po si Dr Loi, nangangampanya din siya sa city of Manila, natutuwa po ako at nagpapasalamat na pinaunlakan po niya ‘yung request po namin kung puwede po siyang mag-host dahil siya po ay taga-Iba, Zambales,” Magsaysay told reporters.

(We asked her if she could host because she is a Zambalaña. Dr Loi is busy campaigning in Manila and yet she agreed, that’s why we are thankful that she accommodated our request because she is from Iba, Zambales.)

She said the lunch reception, organized by Estrada despite her “busy schedule” in Manila, was a good sign for Binay.

“Sumaglit lang po siya dito para lang mag-host ng lunch. E siguro malaking sinyales na ‘yun kung kanino kumikiling si Dr Loi Estrada (She only stayed here for a while to host the lunch. Maybe that’s a major sign as to whom Dr Loi Estrada is supporting),” Magsaysay said. 

Binay and the UNA team had a motorcade around parts of Zambales on the second day of their sortie in the province. – Rappler.com