LIM TELLS TEACHERS TO AVOID ELECTIONEERING

 

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim emphasized to all teachers and other government employees present at Justo Lukban Elementary School not to be involved in any electioneering because it is against the law.

“Huwag kayo mangangampanya para sa akin dahil bawal sa batas yon”,  Lim added in his speech during the walk for a cause activity by the Division of City Schools headed by Superintendent Dr. Ponciano Menguito Tuesday morning.

“Lakad Kabataan…Isulong ang Katarungan” is the activity’s main theme and as the famous slogan of Mayor Lim “The Law applies to all otherwise none at all”, Lim told students that “Justice is for all.  We should respect the law.”

Lim told everyone present that justice must be done not only in words but in action as well.

The walk which was joined by hundreds of students coming from primary and secondary schools in the 5^th district was also joined by Manila Sports Council Chairman Niño dela Cruz and 5^th district Councilor Josefina Siscar.

Dela Cruz said that we should make it a point everyday that any form of justice must be served everyday.

Also last Monday, Lim led the walk under the theme “Lakad Kabataan…Isulong ang Kapayapaan” around the 6^th district of Manila where they started in Sta. Ana Elementary School .

MINORS RESCUED, BAR CLOSED!

 

Four minors were saved last wednesday night by  joint rescue operation headed by Jay Dela Fuente, Head of Manila Department of Social Welfare (MDSW), District Special Project Unit (DSPU) and District Mobile Police Unit (DMPU), after receiving complaint filed by a certain Lima Manalon, a resident of 1206 Felix Huertas St., Sta. Cruz, Manila.

The complaint was about the troubling situation of her adopted daughter, Alice (not her real name), a 14 year old minor, and employed at Juicy Restaurant Bar located at Tejeron St., San Andres, Manila as Guest Relations Officer (GRO).

Upon further verification, said bar has in its employment, minors, who are served with liquors while attending to customers and are subjected to sexual abuse as defined under R.A. No. 7610.

Upon presenting the four minors to Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday, the Mayor led and personally served the closure of the said establishment employing minor Guest Relations Officer (GRO), ages 14 years old to 16 years old, by committing offense under Republic Act No.7610.

“Sumunod po tayo sa batas, h’wag  po natin gamitin ‘yung mga menor de edad na mga kabataan sa mga ganitong klaseng hanapbuhay,“ Lim said.                                 

 There were 9 rescued persons, including Alice, who were taken to the Reception Action Center (RAC) at Arroceros, Malate, Manila, for processing, verification of age and intake assessment. They underwent dental examination, which resulted to the positive verification of 4 females below 18 years of age. The rest who were confirmed to be adults were released upon proper presentation of pertinent documents. In the meantime, the rescued minors were taken into custody by MDSW, headed by Jay Dela Fuente.

“After this closure, we will file appropriate criminal charges against this establishment and/or its owners”  Dela Fuente said.

At 6:30 pm, Lim together with Bureau of Permits director Nelson Alivio and Manila Department of Social Welfare chief Jay dela Fuente, bearing the order for closure and duly accepted by the bar manager closed the establishment permanently.

Court Grants TRO Filed By Lim

The court after due hearing and holding a 2-day continuous trial granted the prayer for temporary restraining order (TRO) commanding the respondents, Police Director Roberto L. Rosales, and Police Chief Superintendent Rodolfo G. Magtibay, to maintain and respect the reshuffle and or reassignment of police station commander in the City of Manila.

The case was brought about because of two general orders issued by Magtibay namely General Order (GO) numbers 4 and 5 which were made upon the recommendation of Mayor Lim. This was issued on January 8, 2010. Surprisingly, on Jan 9, 2010, respondent Magtibay made another reshuffle which was embodied in GO numbers 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 (G.O. # 8-13).

These orders were made by Magtibay allegedly on a text order issued by respondent Rosales, the NCRPO Director. Mayor Lim went to court and raised the issue, on the legality of G.O. #s 8-13 on the ground that they were issued contrary to R.A. 6975 as amended by R.A. 8551.

The law on the matter, as alleged by Mayor Lim on his complaint maintains that “no reshuffle of station police commanders can be effected in the City of Manila without his concurrence or without clearing the matter with him. In particular, he cited (National Police Commission) NAPOLCOM circular 2002-11, which provides that the city mayor, particularly in the City of Manila is deputized by the NAPOLCOM as its representative in the choice of the district police commanders in some of the 11 police stations in the city of Manila.

Mayor Lim took the witness stand and raised not only statutory provisions of law to support his complaints but also raised constitutional provisions wherein he maintains that “civilian authority” over the police is violated when G.O. #s 8-13 were issued, by the district director in obedience to an order issued by General Rosales who is not authorized by any law to conduct such reshuffle.

Mayor Lim asserted that this is one case or one instance wherein the law was used for the wrong reason.

Invoking the mantra of his motto as a public officer, serving as a patrolman in the City of Manila, ending up with the rank of Major General and was immediately appointed as NBI director and becoming a politician thereafter as he ran for Mayor and in 2004 was elected senator, not to mention his stint as a cabinet member serving as DLG secretary, he said that he has to go court to uphold the rule of law.

 Judge Felixberto T. Olalia Jr. after receiving evidence on the matter, in open court dictated, an order directing the respondents to cease and desist, from implementing G.O. #s 8-13 issued in January 9, and to recognize and implement as ‘status quo ante’ the reshuffle made on January 8, 2010.

Mayor Lim was required by the court to post a bond in the amount of P50,000.00 which is to answer for any damages that the hearing respondent generals may suffer as a result of the issuance of TRO. Further proceedings as the matter may no longer be necessary as it appear that there are no disputed facts which were not evidenced during the hearing on the preliminary injunction.

The judge intimated, that on the basis of the evidence presented, the parties may just have to file the respective memoranda as the case may be resolved on the merits of the case.

With the Temporary restraining order, the confusion, in the assignment of the station commanders has been put to rest. In the Order issued by the court on January 14, 2010, it stated, “ … after the presentation of testimony of Honorable Mayor Lim, and exhibits presented by the petitioner and some clarificatory questions propounded by this court and counsels to one of the respondents, Police Director Roberto L. Rosales, initially finds the application to be meritorious and hereby GRANTS the temporary restraining order (TRO) as prayed for by the petitioner, for a period of twenty (20) days, subject to the filing of fifty thousand pesos (Ph50,000.00) cash bond, prohibiting and/or enjoining the respondents Police Director Roberto L. Rosales and Police Chief Supt. Rodolfo C. Magtibay from carrying out and implementing General Order Nos. 8 to 13 and Special Order Nos. 11 to 12, implementing or reshuffling of the subject station commanders from Manila Police District.”

NOTE: Civil Case No. 10-122770 Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Versus Pol. Director Roberto Rosales and Pol. Chief Supt. Rodelofo Magtibay Branch 8 RTC

LIM IS HERMANO MAYOR OF NAZARENE FEAST THIS YEAR

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, this year’s hermano mayor of the Black Nazarene fiesta, attended the concelebrated mass at the Quirino Grandstand officiated by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and other invited bishops and priests early Saturday morning.

Lim was accompanied by City Hall’s key officials and department heads.

Cardinal Rosales’ homily focused on the personal image of the Black Nazarene as simple, humble and charitable.

“Dalhin nyo sa inyong mga tahanan at sa Maynila ang isang payak, mapagkumbaba at madamahin sa kapwa tao ang kapistahan ng Poong Nazareno,” the Cardinal said.(Bring to your homes the simplicity, humility and compassionate virtues of the Nazarene). 

Among the city officials who participated in the recital of the “Prayers of the Faithful” were Manila 3^rd District Representative Naida Angping, Manila Police District Director C/S Gen. Rodolfo Magtibay, City Administrator Jesus Mari Marzan, Mayor Lim’s Chief of Staff Ricardo De Guzman, City Legal Officer Atty. Renato de la Cruz, Manila Tourism and Cultural Affairs Bureau OIC Atty. Solfia Arboladura, Manila Barangay Bureau Director Atty. Analyn Buan and Dr. Ted Martin, director of the newly-opened  Mother and Child Hospital in Binondo.

Msgr. Ignacio thanked the city’s leadership for its relentless support for the Feast of the Black Nazarene.

After the mass, Lim and other city heads waited and lined up to kiss the hand of the Cardinal.  Mayor Lim jokingly addressed his department heads by saying “Mag-mano na kayo kay Kardinal para mabawas-bawasan ang inyong mga kasalanan.” (Better get blessings from the Cardinal so your sins will be lessened).

Lim Helps Deceased Foreigner Held By Funeral Home

On December 15, 2009, a German national Klaus Wolff, late 50’s, was found dead in the bathroom of his condo unit along Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

After investigation and autopsy, Manila Police District (MPD) Homicide section SPO2 Dennis Javier endorsed the body to a funeral parlor in Blumentritt, Sta. Cruz, Manila. The man died from heart attack secondary to his illness, liver cirrhosis, which he had endured for years.

On a letter dated January 7, 2010, of the first secretary of the Consul Division of the German Embassy – Philippines, Mr. Klaus Mueller to Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, he cited that the family in Germany sent only Php20,000 to cover any expenses incurred in the funeral and burial of their relative. The bill sent by the funeral home was from P200,000 which went down to 100,000 pesos on provision that the body will be transferred and not cremated there.

Mayor Lim requested Mr. Mueller to come to his office so as to facilitate the release of the body of Wolff which has been in the ‘funenaria’ for more than 3 weeks. 

With the help of Captain Mar Reyes of the Manila City Hall Detachment, a special team went to have the body released to Mr. Mueller at an amount lower and far from the asking fee.

The body was immediately brought to the North cemetery where Mr. Peter Tamondong was waiting to facilitate the cremation under the instruction of Mayor Lim.

The fiancee was very grateful to Lim and the officials of the Manila city hall when they went out their way to help her and her late fiance.

On one hand, Mr. Mueller lauded Mayor Lim and his people for the swift action made to his fellow German. He said it was excellent for Manila to respond immediately to the need, especially of someone in a foreign land.

Reyes said that the city government under Mayor Lim has never been selective of the people they help, Whether they are Manilans or non-Manilans, local or alien.

MPD RELEASES TRAFFIC REROUTING SCHEME FOR NAZARENE FIESTA

The City of Manila this morning advised the residents and devotees of the Black Nazarene of the traffic rerouting plan so they can avoid being caught in monstrous jams for the feast of Nazarene on January 9, Saturday.

The image of the Nazarene will be brought to the Quirino Grandstand by afternoon of Friday where it will stay overnight for those who want to hold vigils and novenas in His honor.

The route of the grand procession of the Black Nazarene is from the Quirino Grandstand going to Katigbak Drive, P. Burgos, MacArthur Bridge; Palanca, Estero Cegado, Carriedo, Evangelista, Raon, Quezon Blvd., Globo de Oro, Gunao, Arlegui, Nepomuceno, Aguila, Carcer, Hidalgo, Plaza del Carmen, B. Viejo, G. Puyat, Guzman, Barbosa, Quezon Bridge, and Villalobos through Plaza Miranda going to Quiapo Church.

Motorists are advised to expect heavy traffic in affected areas during the procession of the Black Nazarene. These include the stretch of Roxas Blvd. , Bonifacio Drive , Anda Circle , T.M. Kalaw, Quezon Blvd. , Recto, Palanca, Taft Ave. westbound lane, Lagusnilad, P. Burgos, Villegas, N.A. Lopez, and 25th Street at Port Area.

Police said closure of roads to traffic will take effect prior to the approach of the procession to the areas. From 5 a.m. onwards, the southbound of Quezon Blvd. from Andalucia, Fugoso to Plaza Miranda and the stretch of Lerma from P. Campa to Quezon Blvd. will be closed to traffic to all types of vehicles.

The rerouting plan directs all vehicles from Quezon City using España to turn right to P. Campa, left to Andalucia, right to Fugoso, and left to Mapua. All public utility jeepneys and light vehicles coming from España bound for the Port Area are to turn left at Nicanor Reyes, right to Rector, straight to JAS, left to Reina Regente, take Jones Bridge , and right to Magallanes Drive .

Vehicles from northern Manila intending to use the southbound stretch of Bonifacio Drive shall turn right to Roberto Oca St. , left to Delgado, left to Bonifacio Drive or turn right to A. Soriano, to Magallanes Drive , right to P. Burgos, straight to Lagusnilad and to Taft Ave.

All vehicles coming from southern Manila intending to use the northbound stretch of Roxas Blvd. from P. Ocampo to P. Burgos are to turn right at T.M. Kalaw and left to Taft Ave.

Those using northbound stretch of Taft Ave. are to turn right at A. Villegas and right to Quezon Bridge . Motorists intending to proceed to northern and southern Manila are advised to use the stretch of Lacson to Nagtahan and vice-versa or utilize the stretch of Road 10 to Roxas Blvd.

Buses coming from southern Manila using Taft Avenue will be denied entry from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and they may only go as far as President Quirino and Remedios Street .

ROTARY CLUB TO AWARD 10 OUTSTANDING CITY EMPLOYEE

The Rotary Club of Downtown Manila and the City of Manila entered into a memorandum of agreement on the awarding of ten outstanding city employees for 2010.

The agreement was signed by RCDM president Lucenito N. Tagle and 

Signing of Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Manila and the Rotary Club of Downtown Manila represented by its president Lucenito N. Tagle and Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to honor public servants who render the best service to the people..

The awards is in line with the RCDM’s goal of bettering public service delivery and giving recognition for public servants who have shown dedication, sacrifice, selflessness and concern for the city’s constituents.  

The RCDM proposed to bestow the awards to 10 outstanding employees of the City, which Lim readily accepted and vowed to extend full support for.

Under the MOA, the city shall select, determine and nominate twenty (20) rank and file employees from any of its different departments, bureaus, offices, including the City public elementary and high schools and the City College of Manila and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, based on integrity, performance, loyalty and outstanding achievement.

The city shall submit to the RCDM the nominees with their credentials for its evaluation, selection and approval of the selected employees for the Outstanding City Government Employees of Manila Award for 2010. 

It also committed to make available its Bulwagang Villegas on February 12, 2010 as venue for holding the awards, as well as provide all facilities for the program.

The RCDM shall select from the twenty (20) nominees submitted by the City the ten (10) outstanding employees who shall be bestowed and given the award.

The RCDM shall give the awardees the plaque and cash award as it may determined and deem appropriate on the day of the award.

LIM OPENS HIPPODROMO PLAYGROUND IN STA. MESA

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim this morning inaugurated the new playground located at Hippodromo, Sta. Mesa, the first playground he is opening in 2010.

Public Recreation Bureau Director Engr. Deogracias Manimbo said the P3 million playground has an area of almost 900 square meters. After the inauguration of playground, the Mayor led in the tree planting with six Langka seedlings planted around the playground.

Lim reminded the residents to keep the playground clean and to take good care of the facilities for their children’s enjoyment.

Former Manila 6^th district Representative Sandy Ocampo called Mayor Lim as their hero for giving importance and love to the children of the city, particularly of Sta. Mesa.

Lim in turn commended Ocampo for his expression of support and his love for the future leaders of the country, which was earlier resisted by the community until it was finally pushed through.

Department heads present during the occasion were, City Engineer Armando Andres, City electrician Ernesto Cuyugan, Acting Manila Fire Marshal Felixberto Abrenica, Veterinary Inspection Board OIC Sonia Salmos and Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center director Dr. Fidel Chua.

2 VOLUNTEER GROUPS ENDORSE LIM’S CANDIDACY

Two volunteer groups namely the Citizens Crime Watch (CCW) and the Barangay Laban sa Inhustisya, Korapsyon, Abuse Terorismo at Narkotiko (Balikatan) this morning paid a call on Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim to openly endorse his re-election bid in the city in May 2010. CCW founding chairman Atty. Jose Malvar Villegas and Balikatan head Louie Balibago paid a call on the Mayor at Bulwagang Villegas this morning.

Both groups, who discovered election irregularities last 2007, renewed their support for Lim and vowed to be his poll watchdog in May.Villegas boasted of having members who are IT experts and could tell if irregularities are being committed.

Visibly touched by their expressions of support, Lim stressed anew his policy that “the law applies to all or not at all” and that this will be his administration’s theme if re-elected.

Lim vowed that what happened in Maguindanao will never happen in the city as he will not allow police enforcers to be involved in crime like planting of evidence since they will not be excused from the criminal justice system.   A former police general, Lim said: “kahit na ako ay dating pulis, hindi naman pwede na ipagtatakpan ko ang mga illegal na ginagawa ng mga pulis ko.  Kailangan sila maimbestigahan at kung kailangan matanggal sa pwesto hindi ko pipigilan.”

Philhealth Card Project Continues in Manila

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim led the distribution of Philhealth Cards to some 1,000 selected residents of Districts I and II at the covered court of Bgy 154 Zone 14 together with Manila District of Social Welfare OIC Jay dela Fuente and Rochelle Ann San Pedro Philhealth’s Chief Social Insurance Officer, Manila Service Office.

The Philhealth Card project is part of the 11-point agenda of the Manila Health Care Program as additional health assistance for the indigent residents of Manila .

According to Dela Fuente, more than 26,000 Philhealth cards were distributed to Manilans in the city’s six districts for the year 2009 alone.

Lim who continues to prioritize health programs, informed the recipients that through Philhealth, the card holders will not be worried about expenses in hospitalization for both private and government hospitals such as rooms, medicines, x-rays, laboratories and professional fee because it is being covered by the Philhealth.

Surgeon and Anesthesiologist are also covered by Philhealth as well as ambulatory services and procedures including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and dialysis.

Philhealth card holders will not only benefit from Philhealth as well also as their legal spouses, children below 21 years old who are not married and unemployed and parents who are above 60 (not receiving pensions) can also benefit from the card holder of Philhealth.