Lim Formalizes Candidacy – “Revolt” for Change

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim together with Vice-Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso after gracing the wreath-laying ceremony of 146^th Birth Anniversary of Gat Andres Bonifacio filed their Certificate of Candidacy at the Commission on Election (COMELEC), local district of Manila Monday morning.

After the momentous program for the commemoration of Manila ’s great hero, Lim and Domagoso were accompanied by their supporters coming from the 6 political districts of Manila .  “Ngayon ay araw ng pagbabago at mapayapang himagsikan sa lungsod ng Maynila tungo sa reporma. Marami na ang nangyayaring hindi tama.  Parang binabalewala natin yung pagsasakripisyo at pag-aalay ng buhay ni Gat Andres Bonifacio,” Lim said.

He said that it is a revolt for peace, clean, and honest election and a cry for the election of the righteous candidate and good governance. “A government that is clean, honest and true to their oath of office”, Lim added.

Domagoso, born and raised in Tondo, felt honored that he is from Tondo like Andres Bonifacio.  “Isang malaking karangalan na maging taga-tondo.  Sapagkat doon isinilang ang isang dakilang bayani na tunay at nagsimula ng pagbibigay ng kalayaan sa ating bansa.  At natutuwa kami sa ating alkalde, na itong araw na ito ay ito rin ang araw ng paglulunsad ng laban sa mga masasama sa gobyerno at yung mga bolero ang nilalabanan ng samahan at kupunan na ito”, Domagoso said.

Domagoso emphasized Mayor Lim’s performance for providing the city with its basic needs and services such as health and education.  “In 2 years time, 2 ospital, eskwelahan, at health center, we are talking about basic services, health and education were provided during those years, during the term of Mayor Alfredo Lim.  So, sino ang nakapagbigay nyan?  Noong una nyang termino noong dati ganoon din, ngayon ganoon na naman, naibalik na naman, nakamtam na naman ng mga taga lungsod yung kanilang basic services or basic needs, na pinoprovide naman ng kasalukuyang administrasyon.  So doon kami magba-bond sa issue na yun, ” Domagoso elaborated.

 “Ang amin lang pinaglalaban, na kami ay naninindigan sa katotohanan para sa mamayan ng Lungsod ng Maynila na walang pagkukunwari, walang pagbabalat-kayo, kung hindi yung tapat sa kalooban namin ang magbigay ng panunungkulan sa Lungsod ng Maynila”, Lim added. 

 The mayor was accompanied by his legal counsels, Atty. Rafaelito Garayblas, Atty. Renato Dela Cruz, and Atty. David Corpin. Garayblas, “the little mayor” expressed his gratitude and happiness towards the unbeatable tandem.

 On one hand, Joey Silva, Deputy Mayor and now the political campaign manager for KKK party said that despite the positive strength of Lim’s party, they are holding tight their confidence as anything can happen in the campaign period and during the election proper.

 The KKK founded by the Mayor and actively coordinated by Silva, chose the following candidates to run under its wing: Nino dela Cruz, Nestor Lim, Peter Ong, Thelma Lim, Josie Siscar, Lou Veloso, and the majority incumbent councilors, and supports the liberal party senatorial bets.

LIM TELLS JUDGES: IMPROVE DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, in his welcome remarks at the national convention and seminar of the Philippine Trial Judges League Inc. (PTJLI) held at the Grand Ballroom of the Century Park Hotel, urged the judges Thursday to”help improve the dispensation of justice in the country.”

With its theme ” Frontlining Judicial Independence and Moral Uprighteousness in the First Level Courts” Lim pointed out that the first level courts are truly the “front run in the quest for moral revolution.”

 “May this convention give you the time to reminisce and re-live once more your idealism and dedication felt immediately upon taking your oath of office,” Lim added.

 Lim (a lawyer) said appointing judges must be “insulated, as much as possible, from politics so that political patronage is avoided and the wrong perception against judges are minimized.”

 A former police officer, Lim spoke of how police officers can plant evidence or frame-up an innocent person just to report a case solved.

Most victims of such incidents belong to the lowest level of the society – the poor. “Kahit na hindi kumain ng tatlong beses sa isang araw basta’t huwag lang kami pagbibintangan sa isang kasalanan na hindi naming ginagawa”, Lim recalled the words of some poor victims of frame-up.

He cited the case of former precinct commander Col. Manolo Martinez who was killed and the suspect was framed up and presented to the media in order to get the bounty of P500,000.

 Later, the real suspect surfaced when he was arrested for killing a labor lawyer and the precinct commander.  And finally, the real suspect was a member of the New People’s Army.

Having shared these examples, he asked the judges to immediately acquit the suspects that police or fiscals bring to them since “this is the true sense of justice. Let them prove their innocence before your sala.”

You hold in your hands, the proper dispensation of cases. Without your cooperation and intrinsic desire to give justice to all, then justice will always be questioned.

“I hope that there will be no more frame ups but if you come across such instance, the first line of defense of an innocent person who is searching and wanting to give them the justice rests with you,” he said.

LIM WANTS CAMPAIGN MATERIALS REMOVED IN THE CITY

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ordered the City Engineering and Department of Public Services to get rid of the posters, streamers, tarpaulins and other nuisance materials that are hanging on major roads and intersections, weeks before the actual campaign allowed by law.  

            At the Department Heads and Chiefs of offices meeting last Monday, the Mayor directed City Engineer Armando Andres to coordinate with DPS Chief Col. Carlos Baltazar regarding the removal of campaign materials that are blocking the landscape of the city. 

            Under the rules and regulation of the Commission on Elections, no campaign material in any form must be used after the filing of the certificate of candidacy, which ends on Dec. 1, 2009. 

            Yet, Lim said, months before the filing of COCs, these materials have already donned the major thoroughfares, distracting motorists and pedestrians from their normal course of life. 

            Lim, a stickler for laws, said “the city must follow and uphold the law to be fair to all. The objective is also to clean up the city and maintain it from thereon.” 

            Similarly, Lim told the department heads to, as much as possible, continue what the good projects and progorams of their predecessors and not just scrap them just to put in something new, that they can call their own. 

“For as long as they are good and right including the projects and renovations so that the city will not be spending much on changes and revisions if only for the sake of the new designated officer’s personal dislike,” he said. 

If some of them need improvements or just minor revisions, critical thinking must be observed and not indulge in changing the whole structure. This applies to all hospitals, schools, offices which are being either repaired or reconstructed, Lim said. 

He also reminded them to do their duties and level up their performances as he has never interfered with any of their corresponding tasks. He respects the duties and responsibilities of the heads and their capabilities in performing their work well.

MANILA REAPS MEDALS

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim congratulated Manilans who excelled in their respective sports and entertainment competitions during the  regular Monday flag raising held at Freedom Triangle.

In entertainment, Lim congratulated Councilor Lou Veloso (6th district) for garnering the best actor award at the 36th Brussels International Independent Film Festival last Nov. 8 and at the 22nd Aliw Awards for best stage actor last week. He was presented to Lim by  his peers, Councilors Arlene Koa (1st district) and Josefina Siscar (5th district).

In sports, Barangay 310 Chairwoman Thelma Lim presented eight (8) Taekwondo members from Samaba Rescue 310 Taekwondo Team who hail from her barangay. They competed in the Palarong Maynila against other Manila ’s best schools both private and public.

Chairwoman Lim’s Taekwondo team garnered 2 golds, 2 silvers and 4 bronze medals.

The gold medalists were Reniel Peralta of Apolinario Mabini Elementary School in the Grade School Boys Division and Jame Camille Quimora of P. Gomez Elementary School in the Grade School Girls Division.

Silver medalists were Acmad Marquez and Aaron Hemor coming from P. Gomez and A. Regidor Elementary School, respectively.

The bronze medalists were Ardie Sabate, a lone high school medalist from Arellano High School who grabbed the medal in the Finweight Division.  And the other 3 bronze medalists all coming from P. Gomez Elementary school were:  Al-Saifon Sharief, Deanne Ivy Infiel and Marie Susan Lim.

e Taekwondo team was coached by Jay Gollena Manapul and said that his team will be joining another competition on November 29 for the Don Bosco-Mandaluyong Invitational.

Before ending the flag ceremony, Lim announced that  he has asked City Treasurer’s Office OIC Vicky Valientes, to look for ways to give city employees a meaningful Christmas by giving additional financial bonus.

LIM ASKS BARANGAY CHAIRMEN AND DOCTORS TO COOPERATE

To bring the city doctors closer to the constituents they serve, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim ordered the holding of Ugnayan sa Barangay (starting with District IV) and the Ospital ng Sampaloc, where the Mayor said it is the duty of the doctors and nurses to attend immediately to the patients that the barangay chairmen will bring to the hospital.

He also called for a closer collaboration between the barangay chairmen and the hospitals operating in their jurisdiction so that better service can be given to Manilans, for whom the hospitals were put up in the first place.

The Ospital ng Sampaloc, headed by Director Janet del Mundo-Tan conducted the ugnayan at the 7th floor of the hospital to resolve problems and concerns raised by the barangay officials, on behalf of their constituents.

He asked the doctors and hospital staff to be more caring and compassionate towards their patients. “Don’t look for yourself in the other person, especially towards the very sick person, ” he added.

 He thanked the barangay officials for taking their problems to the city officials so that some solutions can be done. “What we need now is cooperation and better understanding for each other,” the Mayor said.

 The Mayor said he wants better rapport between the barangay officials and City Hall. “Ginagawa natin ito para mapalapit tayo sa ating mamamayan at mabigyan din ng aksyon ang kanilang mga hinaing at problema,” he said.

MANILA REMEMBERS JUSTICE FOR THE POOR AUTHOR

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led the celebration of the 81^st birth anniversary of the late Vice-President of the Republic Salvador “Doy” Laurel in the wreath-laying ceremony held at the Roxas Boulevard corner Pedro Gil Street .  The celebration was also attended by Laurel ’s wife, Mrs. Celia Diaz-Laurel and family and close friends.

Others who offered wreaths were, National Historical Institute Executive Director Ludovico Badoy, Manila Historical and Heritage Commission Vice-Chairperson Gemma Cruz-Araneta, City School Superintendent Dr. Ponciano Menguito, Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Chairman Joe Lad Santos.

Lim told the students present of an interesting background of Laurel being the fifth son of the late President Jose P. Laurel and served as Vice-President of teh Republic together with then President, the late Corazon Aquino. 

He also commended Laurel ’s action in giving way for his presidential bid for President Aquino in the snap election. He was the founder and standard bearer of the United Nationalists Democratic Organizations (UNIDO).

The mayor admired Laurel ’s stand and fought against the Martial Rule during the Marcos Regime.  “Bihira lang ang mga taong tumayo at lumaban sa diktaturya na kagaya ni Doy Laurel ”, Lim added.

Lim challenged everyone present that the key is in their hands towards change.  “Kayo ang hahatol kung sino ang dapat na iluklok sa pwesto at iyan ang hamon sa atin ni Doy at President Jose P. Laurel”, Lim stated.

Doy Laurel ’s wife, Celia, cited one of the most notable deeds when Doy Laurel authored five “Justice for the Poor” laws, also known as “LaurelLaws.

Mrs. Laurel said, “Doy Laurel never failed to think about the country though he was in abroad and sick”.  She shared the words of Doy saying, “You don’t have to be in the government to serve people.  Your neighbors are already enough.  Serving them means serving the country because they are citizens of this country.”

“Love for country is something that no one can take away from you”, the words from Celia Laurel which she asked the future generations to remember.  Through this, the dream of President Laurel and her husband, Doy, will come true, she added.

Lim commended the students from Jose P. Laurel High School who rendered a song number that touched and impressed the people present and said that they must be given a scholarship in music in order to develop more of their singing talent.

MANILA HOLDS ALAY LAKAD AGAINST DRUGS

The City of Manila staged its version of Alay Lakad Laban sa Droga to create awareness among the youth on the evils of drug use. The walk was participated in by 14 city elementary schools and 8 city high schools in District 2 with some 2,000 students, their parents and barangay officials of the district participating.

            The walk was organized by the Manila Sports Council and the Citizens Drug Watch Foundation, which began at 6 a.m. at the F. Torres, encircling Gagalangin in Tondo and wound up at F. Torres HS where the winners were awarded.

            Mayor Alfredo S. Lim extolled the participants to study hard and strive for a better tomorrow by avoiding illegal drugs, which will not bring them anywhere.

“If you try it and become addicted to it, you will end up in jail because when you have no resources to buy your addiction, you will steal, hold up people and engage in other crimes that will land you in the city jail,” he said.

Should the addiction become worse, you will even die and go to the Manila North or South Cemetery or La Loma, the Mayor said.

“Binabati ko kayo sa inyong pagdalo sa alay lakad dahil sa murang isip nanindigan kayo sa pakikipaglaban sa droga, iyang ipinagbabawal na gamot ay makasisira sa inyong kinabukasan, hindi lamang sa inyong kinabukasan kung hindi pati sa inyong pag-aaral.

He said the only way for children to become professionals someday is to study hard and repay their parents for all the love and sacrifices by being the best they can ever become. Kaya tayo nagmartsa ay para hindi patutukso sa droga. Lim said.

Masco Chief Niño de la Cruz said today’s youth face problems with drugs. “Tayong mga taga-Tondo ayaw ng droga, ang Alay Lakad na ito ay dapat nating ipagpatuloy. Iwasan natin ang droga, magkaisa tayo sa pagsugpo ng ipinagbabawal na gamot.”.

Aside from Mayor Lim and de la Cruz, others present were: Councilor Carlo Lopez, 2^nd district; Manila Department of Social Welfare OIC Jay de la Fuente, Barangay chairman Lourdes Gutierrez of dist. 2 and Col. Alex Gutierrez, chief, District Special Project Unit (DSPU)

MANILA OPENS NEW COMMUNITY CENTER

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led the inauguration of the new Punta Community Center at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) compound in Sta. Ana Wednesday morning with former 6^th district representative Sandy Ocampo.

 

The new community center is composed of toddler learning center, pharmacy, computer center with 14 desktop computers, social hall, fitness gym and a senior citizen’s center.

 

Also attended the occasion were, Manila Barangay Bureau director Atty. Analyn Buan, Public Recreation’s Bureau director Engr. Deogracias Manimbo, 6^th district councilor Lou Veloso and former 6^th district representative Pablo Ocampo and and barangay 905 zone 100 chairman Edwin Zambrona.

 

Lim said, the real guests of honor on the occasion are the senior citizens of the community because during their younger years, they played vital roles in the city, as taxpayers.  Lim also said, “Utang na loob natin sa kanila kung ano man tayo ngayon.”

 

“Ito ay isang paraan para masuklian natin ang ating mga senior citizens sa pamamagitan ng pagmamahal at pag-aaruga”, Ocampo added.

 

Health was one of the main issues raised by Lim during the blessing of the 500 square meter community center.  Doctors, nurses and dentists will be scheduled at the community center in order to give medical assistance to the community through the efforts of the Manila Health Department headed by Dra. Lorraine Sanchez.

 

Lim announced the inauguration of a 10-storey hospital in the 6^th district in 2010 where new hospital equipments will be placed.  The on-going construction of a 10 storey hospital will be named after the late president Corazon C. Aquino, who served the country with all honesty and never been alleged to any corruption issues.

 

When Lim heard about a report on the increase in numbers of drop-out students in Sta. Ana, Lim asked the Manila District of Social Welfare director Jay dela Fuente, to conduct and provide Technical and Vocational courses in the community center to help the youths thru livelihood programs.

 

Lim said that the city’s responsibility is to render services to those who are in need.

PAINTING EXHIBIT PAYS TRIBUTE TO CORY

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will formally open on Monday the “Democracy in Yellow” painting exhibit, a tribute to the late President Corazon Aquino organized by the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission, Office of Councilor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, the Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Museo ng Maynila and Sigwada Gallery.

 

            The painting exhibit comes after the 100^th day death anniversary of the late president, considered a national icon for democracy, to be held at the Lacson Underpass, Quiapo.

 

            The Mayor will deliver the opening remarks while Councilor Nieto will explain the background of the project. Nonoy Alkalde of Pinikpikan, Dom-An, Sagada, Mountain Province will give a special presentation.

 

Aquino’s daughter, Pinky Aquino Abellada will then give her message.

 

Lim will then lead the ribbon-cutting to formally open the exhibition along with Pinky Abellada, Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, Councilor Nieto and Cecile Pagaduan of Sigwada Gallery.

 

The Manila City Chorale and Manila City Band will render the “Tie a Yellow Ribbon” song which became associated with the late president.

 

 On Tuesday, November 10,2009 at 10 a.m., the exhibition will be brought to the Rodriguez Hall, 2^nd Floor of City Hall. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be led by Mayor Lim, Vice Mayor “Isko Moreno” and Councilor Nieto to be followed by a public viewing while the  Manila City Band plays the songs “Magkaisa” and “Bayan Ko.”