Lim seeks Erap's DQ, annulment of proclamation

Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is seeking the disqualification and annulment of proclamation of his close rival in the local elections, incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Lim filed the petition at the Comelec main office on Wednesday morning. 

Included in the petition were:

• Anthonette Aceret, city election officer; 
• Edward Togonon, city prosecutor;
• Wilfredo Cabral, superintendent of city schools; and
• Members of the city board of canvassers of Manila.

In his petition, Lim accused Estrada of vote-buying, and is seeking the annulment of the latter's proclamation because the city board of canvassers allegedly canvassed votes illegally. 

In an interview with GMA News Online, Lim's lawyer Renato Reyes said Estrada gave away thousands of tablet computers to teachers in Manila during the campaign period. 

The former mayor also alleged that his successor gave away some P52-million worth of "gifts" to 150,000 senior citizens. Each "bag" cost P350. 

"Bakit siya nagbigay noon, e bawal sa kampanya?" Reyes said. 

Meanwhile, Lim's camp is also saying the proceedings that led to Estrada's proclamation was "illegal," as the election results were not electronically transmitted. 

"'Yung SD cards sinasabi raw na hindi nakapag-transmit, kaya dinala sa Rizal Memorial (Coliseum, where the canvassing was held). Bakit dadalhin sa Rizal Memorial? Unahin mo muna 'yung electronic transmission," Reyes said. 

He added: "There should be a recount or recanvassing... Maliit lang naman 'yun, 1,681 election returns. Isang linggo, tapos 'yan."  

Erap camp: No cheating

Meanwhile, Diego Cagahastian, Estrada's media affairs chief, said they welcome Lim's election protest but maintained that Estrada did not cheat his way to victory.

"It's a free country. Anybody can file an election protest. Pero sa dinami-dami ng elections, kahit minsan hindi siya nandaya," he said.

Cagahastian said the programs implemented by Estrada to allegedly win over the electorate were regular programs of Manila to benefit its residents, and were done before the election season.

Cagahastian said Estrada is not worried about the case.

"It's the Comelec's call kung bibigyan ng due course o ire-reject nila ang kaso na nai-file. If Comelec decides to give due course on the case, Mayor Estrada will have his own lawyers," he said. — ALG/RSJ/KBK, GMA News