SENATORIAL CANDIDATE
41. LIM, ARIEL
INDEPENDENT

Ariel Lim, also known as "Mr. Transport", is the national convener of the National Public Transport Coalition which seeks protection and relief for public utility drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also heads other transport sector groups such as the United Transport Alliance of the Philippines and the National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines.

His advocacy on public transport drivers' welfare and the transportation sector involves consultancy work with the government, most recently with the office of Senator Grace Poe for the Public Services Committee.

Lim was among the nominees of NACTODAP Party-List in the 2016 elections. However, it was not among the 46 party-list groups who were granted seats in 2016, garnering only 24,407 or 0.08% of the total votes cast

He is a first-time Senate candidate, running as an independent who vows to use this position to provide wider representation to the country’s public transportation sector.

Lim is making limited policy proposals, citing his belief that he ought to consult constituents on what they want to be accomplished. He also wants to keep the reforms he has developed as a transportation sector leader private so prevent other candidates from copying his proposals.

Platform and Policy
+

The candidate's top priorities if elected to office, tracked against previous promises and accomplishments, if any

Select a policy profile below to view more details
 
Transportation sector
 
COVID-19 response
Related Policy Proposal:
  1. Ensure safety protections for PUV drivers
  2. Supporter of No Test = No Trip
  3. Reforms of all transportation-related agencies
Previous Platform:
As NACTODAP Party-List nominee in 2016, he campaigned on:
  1. Raising the quality of life of PUV drivers and operators
  2. Eliminate corruption in the LTO, LTFRB and among traffic enforcers
  3. Give PhilHealth to each driver to protect their families
  4. Pass a national tax exemption law for PUV operators earning less than P100,000
  5. Give free education for PUV drivers’ children with an average grade of 85% or higher
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
In May 2020, released as national convenor of NPTC an official position and statement in support of the “No Test, No Trip” policy; but later questioned the “No Vax, No Ride” policy - says it’s wrong to make the drivers responsible for ensuring that the PUV passenger is vaccinated and there might be human rights violated by the policy
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Related Policy Proposal:
  1. Accelerate ayuda distribution
  2. Expand PUV ayuda to pedicab and tricycle drivers
  3. Reschedule or refinance PUV drivers’ financial lease/loan on their occupational vehicles at no added interest or penalty
Previous Platform:
Track Record / Accomplishment; Date:
Released as an official position and statement, as national convener for NPTC in May 2020
Deviation from Previous Platform:
Major Accomplishments
+

The candidate's top five accomplishments and contributions for the last 15 years or so


Public Office


Consultant
Read More
  • Consulted by the Office of Senator Grace Poe for the Senate Public Services Committee
  • Consultant on Transport Cooperatives, Senate, July 1995-January 1997
  • Political Assistant, House of Representatives, January 1997 - June 1998
  • Presidential Assistant on Public Transportation, Malacanang Palace; January 2002 - July 2010
  • Consultant for Public Transportation, League of Cities of the Philippines, July 2010 - July 2013
  • Meycauyan City Government, July 2014 - present
Position/Date
1995-2021
Status
Actions and/or Proceedings
+

Actions and/or proceedings pending against or resolved in courts or tribunals involving the candidate, based on publicly available information

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth
+

Also known as SALN, this document is a declaration of one's personal finances. Philippine Law requires the SALN to be submitted by all public officials and employees to the Ombudsman. Public officials and employees may opt to voluntarily disclose their SALN to the public.

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Campaign Details
+

Key details about the candidate's campaign

Campaign Manager:

Alliances and Endorsements:
Party History:
NACTODAP Party-List
2016
Independent
2019
Partido Pederal ng Maharlika
2021-present
Major Donors
+

Candidate's major donors and campaign funding sources

There is no publicly available information on this matter at this time. Requested information from the candidate was not provided.
Major Advocacies
+

The candidate's top advocacies in the last 15 years or so

 
Transport sector reforms
 
Pandemic relief
 
PUV drivers rights and welfare
Transport sector reforms
Helped form the NPTC, composed of different groups in the transportation sector to promote their common cause of ensuring drivers’ livelihood and passenger welfare

NPTC criticized the hasty privatization of the Motor Vehicle Inspection System, which prioritizes vehicle compliance rather than road worthiness of vehicles; it also laid out the policies it supported

Position/Date: National convenor, 2020-present

Status: The LTFRB has extended the phaseout of traditional jeepneys to March 31, 2022, in light of the quarantine protocols imposed

Sen. Poe has recommended the suspension of the new vehicle inspection program’s implementation pending further consultation with stakeholders, operationalization of adequate numbers of PMVICs, review of guidelines and transparency in selection process of PMVICs, among other changes
Pandemic relief
Urged the immediate release of ayuda to tricycle drivers under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act following the extension of the enhanced community quarantine in NCR and other high-risk regions in April 2020

Position/Date: As NACTODAP President, 2020-present
PUV drivers rights and welfare
During the 2016 election for Party-Lists, NACTODAP claimed that it achieved the following:
  1. Blocked the phase-out of two-stroke motorcycles used by more than 1.2 million people
  2. Successfully lobbied for the removal of the NBI and Police Clearance additional requirements for renewal of driver’s licenses at the LTO
  3. Joined President Rodrigo Duterte in the “Putulin ang Kotong sa Daan” campaign
  4. Stopped the regional centralized inspection of Motor Vehicle Inspection Service at the LTO
  5. Helped the release of captured van-for-hire vehicles tagged as colorum even if they had provisional permits from LTFRB Mindanao
  6. Formed the Samahan ng Tricycle sa Buong Pilipinas without membership fees and monthly fees since 1992
  7. Fought against big insurance companies that refused to pay claims of accident insurance policy holders
More recently, NACTODAP has also advocated for rates increase and questioned the tricycle ban on national highways

Position/Date: As advocate and as NACTODAP President, 2020-present

Status: NACTODAP Party-List was not among the 46 party-list groups who were granted seats in 2016; it only garnered 24,407 votes or 0.08% of the total votes cast.
Personal Details
+

Basic information on the candidate's family, background and work experience

Name to appear on the ballot: LIM, ARIEL
Full Name: Ariel Peña Lim
Birthdate:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Religion:
Languages Spoken: Filipino, English
Parents:
  • Jose R. Lim (died December 2014)

  • Helen P. Lim
Siblings:
  • Arlene P. Lim

Information on other siblings not available

Marital Status:
Children:
  • Ariel Aedrian Limr
  • Ariel Dave Lim
Education:
Work Experience:

●National Convener, National Public Transport Coalition, January 2020-present

●President, United Transport Alliance of the Philippines, September 2018 - present

●President, National Confederation of Tricycle and Transport Operators and Drivers Association on the Philippines, 1993 – present

●Committee Consultant, Senate of the Philippines, March 2018 - present

●Other advisory work noted in his Facebook bio:

  • Meycauyan City Government, July 2014 - present
  • Consultant for Public Transportation, League of Cities of the Philippines, July 2010 - July 2013
  • Presidential Assistant on Public Transportation, Malacanang Palace; January 2002 - July 2010
  • Political Assistant, House of Representatives, January 1997 - June 1998
  • Consultant on Transport Cooperatives, Senate of the Philippines, July 1995 - January 1997
  • Head Brand and Special Program, ExxonMobil, January 1993 - June 1995

Appendix
+

Other Legislative and Executive Accomplishments


Lim has nearly no official web presence or verified public information on his profile and career. His main web platform in support of his candidacy is through his personal FB profile (researcher can verify this is him) and uses FB Live as a way to connect with his supporters. https://www.facebook.com/ariel45

Glossary
+
TERM
DEFINITION
LTO Land Transportation Office
LTFRB Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board
NACTODAP National Confederation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines
NPTC National Public Transportation Coalition
PUV Public Utility Vehicle