Detained rebel general to register as voter in NV bid for senate seat

SOLANO, Nueva Vizcaya -- Detained Army Gen. Danilo Lim, in a bid to solidify his political base, is transferring his voting precinct from the Army headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City to this province where he hails from, as he is planning to run for senator in next year’s polls.

Former Army Maj. Norberto Santiago Jr., national vice president of the Samahang Magdalo, a civilian arm of Lim’s Magdalo Para sa Pagbabago Movement, said legal processes have been underway for Lim’s temporary release from the police custodial center at Camp Crame to allow him to register as a voter in this town’s Barangay Poblacion South where he hails from.

Lim is facing rebellion charges for his involvement in the November 2007 Manila Peninsula siege, along with then former Lt. Senior Grade, now Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
“Gen. Lim is scheduled to visit this province in September and to officially register as a voter here.

He is also expected to meet with local Magdalo members,” said Santiago, who was among those who took part in the Trillanes-led Oakwood mutiny.

This, he said, is part of Lim’s trying to rally voters in Cagayan Valley and Northern Luzon to his advocacy for reform, transparency and good governance.
“Right now, Gen. Lim intends to run for senator,” said Santiago, a member of Philippine Military Academy’s Class 1995.

Several opposition groups, including leading presidential aspirant Sen. Manuel Villar, have been wooing West Point-educated Lim to be part of their 12-man senatorial slate.

Born to a poor family, Lim finished his secondary education as salutatorian at the Catholic-run Saint Louis School here in 1972. -- CL