LP urges COMELEC to reverse Lim disqualification

December 20, 2009

Press Release
December 21, 2009

Manila, Philippines – High-ranking officials of the Liberal Party (LP) today urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to reverse its earlier decision disqualifying detained BGen. Danilo Lim from running for the Senate.

“The Comelec erred in disqualifying BGen. Danny Lim on the ground that he is incapable of launching a nationwide campaign. He has been endorsed by the LP as one of its 12 candidates,” said Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, LP Senatorial slate Campaign Manager.

“In 2007, the LP was recognized by no less than the Comelec itself as the dominant opposition party. How then can Danny Lim be incapable of conducting a nationwide campaign if he has been included in the slate of the dominant opposition party? The Comelec must reverse its earlier ruling and allow Danny Lim to run for the Senate,” Pangilinan added.

LP Campaign Manager Florencio “Butch” Abad, meanwhile, explained that BGen. Lim originally filed his candidacy only as a guest candidate of the LP and argues his entry into the party should cure the original ground for his disqualification.

“Danny Lim has joined the Liberal Party. This removes any and all doubt as to Danny Lim’s ability to wage a national campaign for the Senate,” Abad said.

Lim earlier protested the Comelec decision, describing it as baseless and unconstitutional and insisted that the agency should not disqualify “candidates troublesome to the ruling authorities thus preventing the full range of choices that the electorate deserves.”

Along with Lim, other senatorial candidates of the Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas ticket include: former Bukidnon representative Nereus ‘Neric’ Acosta, physician Martin Bautista, Muntinlupa representative Rufino ‘Ruffy’ Biazon, former Senate President Frank Drilon, Bukidnon representative Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros, lawyer Alex Lacson, peace and women’s rights advocate Yasmin Busran Lao, former senator Serge Osmeña, former senator and NEDA Secretary Ralph Recto, and educator Sonia Roco, wife of the late senator Raul Roco.