There is no animosity between former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay despite their conflicting positions on the result of the May 10 automated elections, according to persons close to the two pillars of the opposition.

"I can tell you with full confidence that former President Estrada approved of all the statements made by Mayor Binay and he even remarked that "I’m happy for him," former congressman, JV Bautista, a losing senatorial bet of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) quoted Estrada as saying, when he was able to talk to the former president last Monday afternoon at Estrada's home on Polk Street in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Speaking in a breakfast forum in San Juan, Wednesday, Bautista said Estrada made the remark after he (Bautista) briefed the former president about Binay's press conference in Makati earlier that day. Bautista represented Binay during the press conference.

"Erap said that in front of his advisers.

All of his close lieutenants were there including former Senate President Ernesto Maceda and former agriculture secretary Horacio Morales," Bautista said.

Estrada, despite Liberal Party standard bearer Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III's huge lead over him in the partial and unofficial vote tabulation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), had refused to concede and even raised doubts about the results of the polls.

On the other hand, Binay, who is leading in the vice presidential race, had said that he would win the elections fair and square.

The alleged feud between the two opposition leaders was fueled by reports that Estrada allegedly skipped Binay's name when he cast his ballot during election day. The report, however, was belied by both the Estrada and Binay camps.

"They (Estrada and Binay) don't cancel each other out because the investigation that is being looked upon by President Erap is not to question the entire election. There could be fraud in the election for president, there could be fraud in the election for senators, or even fraud in the election for the Manila mayor as alleged by former mayor Lito Atienza. It's all fair because it is the first time we had an automated elections," Bautista said.

Binay's spokesman, Lito Anzures, also assured that should Estrada lead a street protest against the alleged election fraud, Binay would be at his side.

For her part, Estrada's spokesperson Margaux Salcedo said Estrada "has refused to concede for the simple reason that he respects processes and he believes that any proclamation must be done by Congress and not by Comelec, or not by media or not by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

"Another reason why he has refused to concede is because there are local candidates or other candidates who are considering to file their own protests and as the standard bearer and head of the party, if he himself already concede then it's as if he taking a stand for the entire party. He is just acting his role as leader of PMP," Salcedo said.

Salcedo assured that all is well between Estrada and Binay. "Their friendship goes way back. It is just unfortunate that there are people sowing intrigues between the two. They are both principled leaders who have fought for various issues for the country together. I believe that whatever the results of the election will be, they will continue to fight for what they believe is good for the country, together," she said referring to Estrada and Binay.