MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE) Retired Brigadier General Danilo Lim filed his senatorial bid Friday at the Commission on Elections office in Manila.

Lim, 54, said that he would work for democratic reforms, especially for the poor and labor groups experiencing the ?violence of poverty.?

?It is the violence of poverty that has caused Filipinos to lose hope. We need to give people jobs, especially those experiencing poverty,? said Lim who was escorted by several policemen.

Lim is detained at the Camp Crame Custodial Center for coup charges.

The former Army general said he also advocated for reforms in the government and the military.

He also called for a stronger civil society and institutions, saying this helps in curbing corruption. Once there is a change in leadership after the May 2010 elections, Lim said he and other military officers incarcerated for what they called a ?political act? would be freed.

Although an independent, Lim said he was going to be ?adopted? by the Liberal Party.

?I believe in the party, in its vision, and the personalities behind it,? said Lim.

Although favoring the LP, Lim was accompanied by the Partido ng Manggagawa (Labor Party), Akbayan, and the Magdalo that staged a rally for the senatorial candidate.

PM chairman Renato Magtubo said they supported Lim, an advocate for workers? rights in the struggle for better living conditions; and political rights.

?General Danny Lim deserves recognition for being an icon of incorruptibility and a principled fighter among our men in uniform,? Magtubo said.

Also on Friday, the labor group filed its bid to participate in the partylist election.