Original Story: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2009/december/22/nation4.isx&d=/2009/december/22
The Liberal Party is marshalling its forces to save the senatorial candidacy of renegade Gen. Danilo Lim who has been disqualified by the Commission on Elections.
The Liberals said the poll body’s decision to disqualify the former Army general was unfair and unjustified because he has been included in the party’s senatorial slate.
They disputed the Comelec’s argument that Lim, who is under military detention on rebellion charges, is incapable of waging a nationwide campaign.
“In 2007, the LP was recognized by no less than the Comelec itself as the dominant minority 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 ruling and allow Danny Lim to run for the Senate,” said Senator Francis Pangilinan, campaign manager for the Liberals’ senatorial ticket.
LP general campaign manager Florencio “Butch” Abad explained that Lim originally filed his candidacy only as a guest candidate of the LP.
But Lim officially joined the LP which should have the effect of curing doubts about the viability of his senatorial bid, Abad said.
Right after the Comelec issued its adverse ruling, Lim protested.
Describing the decision as “baseless and unconstitutional, he said the poll body should not disqualify candidates troublesome to the ruling authorities thus preventing the full range of choices that the electorate deserves.
Lim is being prosecuted before a military tribunal and a civilian court for leading an aborted coup attempt against the Arroyo administration in February 2006.
In 2007, another renegade military officer, Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes, was allowed to run for senator despite the fact that he was facing rebellion and coup charges. He won the election but had not been allowed by the courts to get out of prison to attend Senate hearings and sessions.
The Comelec has also been accused of inconsistency and unequal application of the law because it has permitted another renegade military officer, detained Marine Col. Ariel Querubin, to run for senator under the Nacionalista Party despite pending charges before a court martial.
Along with Lim, other senatorial candidates of the Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas ticket include: former Bukidnon Rep. Nereus “Neric” Acosta, physician Martin Bautista, Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino “Ruffy” Biazon, former Senate President Frank Drilon, Bukidnon Rep. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros, lawyer Alex Lacson, peace and women’s right advocate Yasmin Busran Lao, former Senator Serge Osmeña, former senator and Socio-Economic Planning Secretary Ralph Recto and educator Sonia Roco, wife of the late senator Raul Roco. Fel V. Maragay
Original Story: http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideNation.htm?f=2009/december/22/nation4.isx&d=/2009/december/22
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