Lim drops running mate, supports Atienza son

MANILA, Philippines - Former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, who is running in the mayoral race, wants his running mate to step aside in favor of another candidate for vice mayor.

In a press conference yesterday, Lim, who belongs to the Liberal Party, said he will convince District 1 Rep. Benjamin Asilo to give up his bid “because he is lagging behind the surveys anyway.”

He said he will give Asilo a post in his administration if he is elected.

Lim said he favors Arnold “Ali” Atienza, who is now running as an independent vice mayoral candidate after formally breaking ties with District 5 Rep. Amado Bagatsing, who is running for mayor.

He added that there are talks for the Lim and Bagatsing camps to merge.

Lim, Bagatsing and reelectionist Mayor Joseph Estrada are engaged in a three-way fight for the city’s top post.

Atienza and Lim were embroiled in a bitter rivalry in 2010, with Lim winning the elections.

Lim also bested Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, the vice mayoral candidate’s father, for the mayoral post in 2007.

Meanwhile, Asilo said he is glad there are other people supporting Lim but did not say whether he will continue to run as vice mayor.