Lim: I’m Erap’s pick for Manila mayor

Senator Alfredo Lim on Sunday said former President Joseph Estrada has agreed to endorse him as the Genuine Opposition’s mayoral candidate for Manila in the May 14 midterm elections. In a statement, Lim said his good showing in a survey commissioned by Estrada’s nephew, Ricky de Guzman, bolstered the former president’s decision to pick him for the opposition’s mayoral bet. Lim said former senator Ernesto Maceda confirmed to him Estrada’s decision. The senator quoted Maceda as saying that in the Pulse Asia survey, the opposition saw that Lim was “way, way ahead" of other mayoral aspirants for Manila, especially in the city’s first, second and third districts. "Even the (mayoral) candidate following Lim is a far second," Lim’s statement said, quoting Maceda. Earlier, Estrada said his decision on who to endorse as the opposition's candidate for mayor of Manila would be based on the outcome of a survey that he himself would commission. Before winning a seat in the Senate, Lim was elected mayor of Manila for two consecutive terms, from 1992 to 1998, Last month, Lim named Lito Banayo, former Estrada adviser, as his running mate in the mayoral race. It was earlier reported that Estrada was grooming Banayo for congressman of Manila's fifth district. Incumbent Manila Rep. Joey Hizon is reportedly interested in replacing Lito Atienza, who is on his third and final term as Manila mayor. Atienza is reportedly bent on having his son Ali run for mayor. Manila Vice Mayor Danny Lacuna has also signified his intention to run for the post. -GMANews.TV