Tagbilaran mayor for Erap

MANILA, Philippines - Former Ambassador Ernesto Maceda said yesterday that Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Lim is endorsing the presidential bid of former President Joseph Estrada, and not of National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

Maceda, spokesman of the United Opposition (UNO), belied reports that Lim has endorsed Teodoro’s candidacy.

“Contrary to news reports, Mayor Dan Lim remains a good friend and ally of President Joseph Estrada. Mayor Dan Lim himself had denied this report as he merely did the proper courtesy and usual introduction to all visiting presidential candidates, as well as other government officials,” Maceda said.

Maceda said that Lim confirmed to him in a phone conversation his continued alliance with former President Estrada, being his long-time friend.

“And of what I’ve recalled, Mayor Dan Lim had attended the gathering of officers and members of Agilang Pilipino in Oct. 20, endorsing the presidential bid of President Estrada,” Maceda said.

In related developments, Maceda said that several mayors in Davao del Sur who previously belonged to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, headed by Abad Santos Mayor Alexander Wangkay, had just taken their oath as members of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP).

“Besides the mayors in Davao del Sur, nine mayors from the province of Nueva Ecija, headed by San Leonardo Mayor Froilan Tagano and congressional district candidate Jun Ezquivel had also joined the Erap group,” Maceda said.