Filtered By: Topstories
News

Detained Brig. Gen. Danny Lim leaves service, seeks Senate post


Another military officer facing court martial proceedings and rebellion charges before a civilian court has opted to leave the service and seek an elective post in next year's national elections. On Friday, detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim, the decorated former chief of the Scout Ranger Regiment accused of masterminding the February 2006 coup, filed his certificate of candidacy for senator at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Manila. "I have served the military for 36 years and throughout my 36 years of military service, I have been consistent in advocating reforms in the military, but the military career being behind me now, this is now my alternative arena," Lim told reporters in an interview. Under existing laws, all active military and police personnel are deemed resigned from the service after filing their respective certificates of candidacy for any elective posts. Lim said he is running as in independent but added that he was “graciously" adopted by the Liberal Party (LP). Lim filed his COC at 8:56 a.m. accompanied by members of his family and some supporters.

Detained Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim said he is confident that like Sen. Antonio Trillanes, his senatorial bid will be a success. - Kim Tan
Lim is facing rebellion charges in connection with the November 2007 standoff at the Manila Peninsula Hotel and also faces charges of mutiny before a military court in connection with the February 2006 coup. He said he is running to continue the fight that he started against corruption. "This is a continuation of the same advocacies, the same struggles for nationalism, reforms, and good governance." The former military officer is presently detained at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame but said that this will not stop his candidacy. He arrived heavily escorted by policemen at around 9 a.m. “Hindi naman ito [ang] unang pagkakataon na may tumatakbo from detention. Marami naman tayong supporters, mga organized group sa labas, na tutulong sa atin (This is not the first time that there is someone running while in detention. I have many supporters, there are organized groups who will help me) in lieu of my personally going out there and campaigning," he said. Lim was referring to former Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV who managed to secure a Senate seat in the May 2007 polls despite being incarcerated. To date, Trillanes remains detained in connection with criminal cases pending before civilian courts and a military tribunal in connection with both the Oakwood mutiny in July 2003 and the Manila Peninsula hotel siege in November 2007. Samahang Magdalo In addition to the support of the LP, Lim’s candidacy is being backed by the Samahang Magdalo, a group associated with soldiers facing various charges in connection with previous attempts against the government. Groups like Partido ng Manggagawa, Anakbayan, and the Guardians have also expressed their support for Lim’s candidacy. His wife Aloysia, for her part, said that she will be campaigning in place of her husband. "Yes of course, I will be the one going around for my husband and I truly support kung ano yung patuloy niyang pinaglalaban, ang tunay na pagbabago sa bansang Pilipinas (what he is continuously fighting for, real change in the Philippines)," he said.
A file photo of a banner showing Samahang Magdalo’s candidates (except for Trillanes) for local and national positions in the 2010 polls. GMANews.TV
The LP's support for Lim seems ironic since as a young Army officer, Lim was one of the founders of the Young Officers Union (YOU) that joined the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) in launching the bloody December 1989 coup against the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino. Mrs. Aquino's only son - Senator Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III - is the LP's standard bearer in the 2010 polls. Lim joins other LP senatorial candidates LP chairman and former Senate President Franklin Drilon; Muntinlupa Rep. Ruffy Biazon; former Bukidnon Rep. Neric Acosta; Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto “TG" Guingona,; Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel; former senator Ralph Recto; and Sonia Roco of Aksyon-Demokratiko. Lim said he will continue to face the charges made against him until they have been resolved. Aside from Lim, the Magdalo group has also endorsed the senatorial candidacy of detained Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin, who has yet to file his COC. Four other members are also running for local elective posts, with former Navy officer James Layug filing his own last Wednesday. - RSJ,GMANews.TV
LOADING CONTENT