For the sake of opposition unity, United Opposition (UNO) president and Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay has surrendered his presidential aspiration and decided to run for vice president in the 2010 elections.

“I have always said that if my bid for the presidency will be an obstacle in achieving unity within the opposition, I am willing to give way,” Binay said, as he welcomed the decision of Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to run for president next year.

Binay said that he made his decision after consulting with the other leaders of the PDP-Laban which he said has decided to support his bid for the vice presidency.

“It is a decision that I accept. I hope that this will pave the way to uniting the opposition,” he pointed, expressing hopes that his action would help unify the political opposition.

In November 2008, Binay announced that he would run for president during his 66th birthday celebrations held at the Makati City Hall.

The opposition leader said that the entry of Aquino in the presidential contest provides a reason for the different opposition parties to consider forming a coalition for the 2010 polls.

The opposition leader also said as president of the United Opposition (UNO), he is willing to mediate possible unity talks between Aquino and former President Joseph Estrada.

“There is all the more reason to pursue negotiations among the parties identified with the opposition for a possible coalition… this is an obligation that I am taking on. As a first step, I intend to mediate talks between former President Joseph Estrada and Sen. Aquino at the soonest possible time,” he said.

Binay cited the strong ties between Aquino and the PDP-Laban headed by Binay. In the 1985 snap presidential election, former President Corazon Aquino ran under the PDP-Laban.