The Philippine Online Chronicles

The poll body, through Resolution 8743, reinstated the names of previously disqualified candidates Nicanor Perlas and General Danilo Lim in the list of candidates for president and senator, respectively.

Aside from Perlas, financial consultant Vetallano Acosta of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) party was also deemed qualified to run for president, raising the number of candidates running for the country's highest elective post to 10.

The Comelec had earlier announced the initial list of candidates for president, which includes Senator Benigno Aquino III (Liberal Party), John Carlos “JC” Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Joseph Ejercito Estrada (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO), Sen. Richard Gordon (Bagumbayan), Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal (independent), Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Bro. Eddie Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas) and Sen. Manuel Villar (Nacionalista Party).

Meanwhile, Lim and three other senatorial aspirants whose names have been added to the final list bring the number of senatorial candidates up to 62. Also deemed qualified to run for as senators are former Cebu governor Emilio Osmeña, KBL's Nanette Espinosa and Bangon Pilipinas' Adz Nikabulin.

Lim, currently detained in Camp Crame on rebellion charges, said he welcomed the resolution of the Comelec and that it reinforced his “trust” in the system.

“I knew that entering the fight would not be easy. I did not suffer any illusions that there would be opposition to my candidacy. But I have laid my trust in the system and in the Law, and on this day, we can see that we have trusted well,” Lim said in a statement.

Environmental activist Perlas and retired Brig. Gen Lim, along with gay rights activist Danton Remoto were earlier disqualified by the Comelec because they were deemed to lack the needed financial resources and machinery to wage a nationwide campaign.

Although Remoto was still not included in the senatorial list, his party-list group, "Ang Ladlad" had recently been allowed to participate in the party-list elections, after the Supreme Court issued a temporary retraining order (TRO) on the Comelec disqualification against them.

The high court also ordered the poll body to include 'Ang Ladlad' in the ballot for party-list candidates.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) group was earlier disqualified by the Comelec for promoting “immorality” among the youth.

“We are the first gay and lesbian party in the world! Nothing can stop us now,” said Remoto.

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