Detained general formally announces 2010 Senate bid

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya - Detained Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim on Tuesday formally announced his intention to run for a Senate seat in the 2010 national elections, vowing to pursue reforms in the military service. "My decision was brought about by my drive to pursue reform advocacy I have fought for as a military officer for the past 35 years and, more importantly, to continue to serve my country and people," Lim said in a statement distributed to media. Lim, who is facing rebellion and mutiny charges in court, was granted a one-day pass to travel to Nueva Vizcaya. He arrived at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office here in his hometown to register along with his daughter, Danica. They were accompanied by Lim’s wife, Aloy. "I chose to register here in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya so I can go back to my roots and revisit my past as I embark on another chapter of my life. Also, by doing so, I am hoping that I could help revive and unite the Ilocano spirit in the coming elections," Lim said. "In time, I would be asking for the support of not only my fellow Ilocanos, but all of our countrymen who have been longing for change," he added. Provincial officials and hundreds of supporters of Lim, a graduate of the US Military Academy in 1978, witnessed the event . Camp Crame detention Lim is currently detained at the PNP Custodial Center at Camp Crame on rebellion charges in connection with the November 2007 siege at the Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City. He is also facing mutiny charges before a military court for allegedly leading a planned withdrawal of support from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Feb. 24, 2006. His fellow detainee - Col. Ariel Querubin of the Philippine Marines - earlier announced his bid for a Senate seat in the 2010 polls. [See: Detained Marines colonel leaves cell to register as voter] Both Lim and Querubin were founders of the Young Officers Union (YOU), a shadowy military group that joined forces with the Rebolusyonaryong Alyansang Makabansa (RAM) headed by then Col. Gregorio Honasan in staging the bloodiest coup attempt in December 1989 against the administration of then-President Corazon Aquino. 2nd senator from Nueva Vizcaya In a press conference, Lim said he hopes to become the second senator from the province after the late Leonardo Perez, who served in the Senate from 1963 to 1967. Asked how he would conduct his campaign, Lim said: "It doesn't matter [that I'm detained]. It has been done before and there's no reason why I cannot do it." Lim was referring to former Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes IV, who defied the odds during the May 2007 elections and won a seat in the Senate although he was in detention and was not allowed to campaign. Trillanes is facing coup d' etat charges before a civilian court and mutiny charges before a military court in connection with the July 2003 Oakwood mutiny. He is also a co-accused in the Manila Peninsula rebellion case. Lim said he remains undecided about forging political alliances in pursuing his senatorial ambition. In July, Lim said he would announce his decision by the middle of October. In April, Lim was included in the list of possible senatorial candidates of the political opposition, which was disclosed by former President Joseph Estrada. [See: Erap names 12 possible senatorial bets for 2010] - GMANews.TV