Aquino appoints campaign team lawyer to Comelec

A lawyer who was part of the campaign team of President Benigno Aquino III and his running-mate former Senator Manuel Roxas II during the May 2010 elections was appointed as commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on Monday announced that Christian Robert Lim will take the post left by Gregorio Larrazabal, who retired in February. Lim will serve until Feb. 2, 2018. Lim, prior to his appointment, was part of the legal/anti-fraud group/quick reaction team of the Aquino-Roxas Bantay Balota in the May 2010 elections. He was also part of the legal/anti-fraud group/quick reaction team of Quezon City congressional candidate Vivienne Tan, daughter of business tycoon Lucio Tan, in the same elections. Tan lost to Vincent “Bingbong" Crisologo. Based on his curriculum vitae, Lim, 37, prepared legal opinions and gave counsel on issues such as disqualifications of candidates, lawful campaigning and campaign paraphernalia. He also conducted trainings, seminars and symposia to volunteers and supporters on the automated elections and fraud detection. Lim also attended hearings before the Joint Oversight Committee on Automated Elections and Comelec on the issue of dominant minority party and inspection of various sites for automated election machines and printing of ballots. Lim also served as private prosecutor in the plunder trial of former President Joseph Estrada and a deposition officer during the impeachment proceedings against him. He was an associate at Carpio Villaraza & Cruz Law Offices from 1998 to 2000. At present, he is a managing partner at Lim & Leynes Law Offices. President Aquino also appointed Rasol Lamping Mitmug as the new commissioner of the Civil Service Commission. Mitmug will replace Cesar Buenaflor and will be serving until February 2, 2018. He was also a regional director of the Commission on Audit in Davao City prior to his appointment to CSC. Malacañang is expected to announce the new chairman of the Commission on Audit (CoA) on Tuesday. 33 appointees take oaths Earlier in day, Aquino administered the oath of office to 33 appointees led by Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Oban Jr and Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David, a former military chief. Other officials sworn into office were:

Leon Flores, chairperson of the National Youth Commission (NYC);

Erwin Chua Andaya, NYC Commissioner, representing Visayas;

Georgina P. Nava, NYC Commissioner, representing Luzon;

Earl P. Saavedra, NYC Commissioner, representing Mindanao;

Percival V. Cendaña, Commissioner-at-Large;

Nora C. Oliveros, Deputy Executive Secretary for Finance and Administration, OP;

Fernando L. Mesa, Assistant Director-General, National Security Council Seretariat, OP;

Ofelia Arellano-Marquez, Chairperson, Central Board of Assessment Appeals of the Department of Finance;

Alfredo Tolentino, Assistant Secretary, Department of Public Works and Highways; -Ester A. Aldana, Assistant Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government;

Nelson Acebo, Commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government;

Vice-Admiral Alexander P. Pama, Flag Officer In Command of the Philippine Navy (PN);

Lt. Gen. Arthur I. Tabaquero, Commander, EastMinCom;

Rear Admiral Orwen J. Cortez, VC, Philippine Navy;

Maj. Gen. Ramiro A. Alivio, TNIG, PN;

Maj. Gen. Elmir S. Dela Cruz, DCS for AFP-CEIS J6;

Maj. Gen. Romulo M. Bambao, Chief, Intelligence Service of the AFP;

Maj. Gen. Nonato Alfredo T. Peralta Jr., Supt., Philippine Military Academy (PMA);

Rear Admiral Edgar L. Abogado, CNS,PN;

Brig. Gen. Mariano A. Veloria, Comdr, 53 EBDE, Philippine Army (PA);

Brig. Gen. Samuel L. Narbuada, ADCS for Intelligence,

Brig. Gen. Alex N. Albano, Comdr, AresCom, PA;

Brig. Gen. Arnolfo Atendido, ADC, 7ID, PA;

Commodore Isabelo H. Gador, Chief, OLA;

Commodore Geronimo L. Aganon, DC, NASSCOM;

Brig. Gen. Ramona P. Go, ADCS for PERS, J1;

Commodore Caesar C. Taccad, Comdr, NFNL, PN;

Brig. Gen. Maximo G. Caro, Comdt, CCAFP,PMA;

Brig. Gen Nicano Vivar, ASupt, Philippine Military Academy;

Brig. Gen. Lito S. Tabangcura, Cmdr, AFPResCom; and

Commodore Wenefredo B. Banua, Chairman, PN BAC.- KBK, GMA News