Ex-Gen. Lim named new MMDA chair

Former Army Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim has been appointed new Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed Lim’s appointment in a text message Saturday night. He likewise said that erstwhile MMDA officer-in-charge Tim Orbos will stay as the agency’s general manager.

Lim, a former senatorial candidate back in 2010, was previously appointed by former President Benigno Aquino III as Bureau of Customs (BOC) Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence until he resigned in July, 2013, due to alleged corruption in the agency.

He was also one of the leaders of the failed 1989 coup d’etat against the administration of Aquino’s mother, former President Corazon Aquino, which landed him in prison for two years.

He was released under the Ramos administration and was a member of the RAM-SFPYOU (Reform the Armed Forces Movement-Soldiers of the Filipino People-Young Officers Union) peace panel.

During the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Lim was relieved from his post as commander of the First Scout Rangers Regiment in 2006 for allegedly plotting another coup d’etat.

He was detained from 2006 to 2010 on charges of rebellion and attempted coup d’etat.

He was also among the Magdalo group members, along with Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who staged the 2007 Peninsula Manila siege in Makati City.

Lim is now the 12th person to join the list of former military or police officials to assume office under the Duterte administration.

Some of the known former military or police officials in the current administration include National Security Adviser Secretary Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon, Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, and incoming Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.

Other former military or police officials in the administration are Emmanuel Bautista, Office of the President Undersecretary; Ricardo Visaya, National Irrigation administrator; Alexander Balutan, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager; Jason Aquino, National Food Authority administrator; Ricardo Jalad, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council executive director; and Edgar Galvante, Land Transportation Office chief.