Leading presidential bet Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay has buried the hatchet with one of his rivals in the vice presidential race Nacionalista Party’s Senator Loren Legarda who earlier conceded the contest to his favor.

In a statement last Thursday, Binay thanked Legarda as he hoped that he could work with the lady senator in the coming years for a “united government.”

“Sen. Legarda and I share a common concern for the well-being of all Filipinos and we wish only for a united government that will work towards the good of our country. In the coming years, I hope to work with Sen. Legarda, and I hope that she will share her expertise and experiences, that we may create a brighter and more prosperous Philippines,” said the running mate of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

Binay said he has “nothing but admiration for the senator’s compassion for the country and her willingness to put first the welfare of the nation and the people.”

“I believe her decision to respect the will of the people and to concede is commendable and brave,” he said of Legarda who conceded to Binay during a press conference at the Manila Polo Club in Makati last Tuesday. Legarda congratulated both Binay and Liberal Party’s presidential candidate Sen. Benigno Aquino III for their “victory.”

Binay is currently leading the partial tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the VP race but his rival LP’s Sen. Mar Roxas said the race could still swing to his favor as the election results from his “bailiwicks” have yet to be reflected on the poll body’s tabulation.