Lim's son says drug charges meant to embarrass his father

MANILA, Philippines - The camp of Manny Santos Lim, son of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, on Tuesday denied the drug charges filed against him and his two companions by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, saying the charges were meant to embarrass his father. "We believe this is a trumped-up charged intended to embarrass the mayor," lawyer Mario Ongkiko, Lim's counsel, told reporters after an hour-long preliminary hearing Tuesday afternoon at the Department of Justice. Ongkiko issued an appeal to the media and the public to not treat his client as if he is already guilty of the drug charges following his arrest by PDEA operatives last March 14. Ongkiko said they will submit their counter-affidavit on Monday. The hearing was supposedly opened to the public, but the cramped space has forced State Prosecutor Nolibien Quiambao to close the door to the media and a number of Lim's supporters. The younger Lim, in a statement, said it is unfair to drag his father into his case. "My father is totally irrelevant to my case and I wish his name would not be mentioned every time my case is the topic," he said. “In the meantime, let no one make any judgmental statements; let the proper court make its judgment upon my innocence or guilt, after due trial," Lim added. PDEA operatives netted Lim and his two cohorts, Joel Sabado and Ronald Pascual, in a drug buy-bust operation last Friday in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Recovered from their possession was 98.7821 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (“shabu") worth P340,000. The three were charged with violation of the illegal drugs law. Selling illegal drugs is a non-bailable offense that carries a life sentence. Mayor Lim had earlier said that he will not meddle with his son's case, saying that it has been his policy not to tolerate any wrongdoing even of a family member. - GMANews.TV