MANILA - A lawyer and long-time friend of the Binay family will run for senator in the 2019 midterm polls.

Accompanied by Senator Nancy Binay, Dan Roleda filed his certificate of candidacy at the Comelec office on Thursday.

Roleda is the deputy secretary general of former Vice President Jejomar Binay's United Nationalist Alliance. He is also the elder Binay's deputy campaign manager.

This year, the UNA will field only Sen. Nancy Binay and Roleda in the senatorial race. It will be first Senate bid for Roleda, a former Manila councilor and Alab party-list representative.

"Pero unang-una, dasal lang talaga. Ito naman ay destiny, hindi naman natin mapipigilan 'yan. Naniniwala ako, pag nagsikap ako, sa tulong ng mamamayan at ng partido, magwawagi tayo," he said.

(It starts with prayer. It's also destiny, which we can't stop. I believe that I can win with hard work and with the help of our countrymen and the party.)

Roleda, who served as adviser on foreign investments to former President Gloria Arroyo, said he would focus on food, shelter, livelihood, family healthcare, education, and salary increases if elected.

Asked what pushed him to seek a Senate seat, the lawyer said: "Pag-ibig sa bayan (love of country)."