Isko, former officials laud Lim
MANILA Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso and former officials mourned the passing of former senator and Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, who succumbed to complications of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on Saturday at the age of 90.
Domagoso lauded Lim for being a public servant most of his life.
“Mayor Lim dedicated 50 years to serve the people,” he said.
The mayor also cited the former senator’s lasting infrastructure projects in the city.
“Until now, the programs and [ infrastructure] projects of our beloved mayor are still in place,” said Domagoso, referring to the district hospitals in Sta. Ana and Sampaloc, as wll as the Universidad de Manila.
He also emphasized Lim’s role in curbing criminality, saying, “During his rule, he did all he could to keep the city free from criminals. He led the city with clean intentions without a trace of corruption.”
This sentiment was echoed by former Tawi-tawi governor Al Tillah, who credited Lim’s role in resolving tensions between Muslims residing near the Golden Mosque and the city’s police force.
“Mayor Lim handled with fairness and justice the management of the crisis between his policemen and civilians,” Tillah said in a statement sent to TheManilaTimes.
Domagoso said he and Lim remained friends “despite disagreements during their discourses.”
“In fact, when I was elected as mayor, I immediately went to former mayor Lim to ask for advice on how to suppress the crime in Manila,” he bared.
Former mayors Joseph Ejercito Estrada and Jose Atienza also expressed sadness over the passing of the former senator.
“We may have been political opponents, but I know that we shared the same goal: to give poor Manilenos a better life. Manila won’t ever forget you,” Estrada said in Filipino.
“We’ve lost another political leader of the old school,” Atienza said in a radio interview on Sunday.
The Buhay party-list representative served as Lim’s vice mayor from 1992 to 1998 before defeating him in a succeeding election.
Lim, however, won against Atienza in 2007, but the two remained friends.
“Our fights were intense, but we did not take it personally. I know he just wanted to do good,” Atienza said.
He added that Lim, who served the police force for 30 years, did an “exemplary” job.
“He was an exemplary police officer, that’s why he was given a chance at the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and Department of [the] Interior [and Local Government].”
Lim, who also served as NBI director, was remembered by the bureau for the reforms he instituted.
The NBI honored the former senator by lowering the Philippine flags in its head office and in regional and district offices nationwide to half-mast.
Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd described Lim as a staunch advocate of peace and order.
Sotto said Lim “wore many hats as a public servant; from chief of Police of Manila, to senator from 2004 to 2007, and mayor of Manila for many years.”
“He risked life and limb when called upon by his commanderin-chief,” he said, referring to then president Corazon Aquino.
“The nation salutes him for a life of service,” the Senate chief said in a text message.
Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd said, “We are extremely saddened with the passing of our beloved and well respected party mate, former Senator and Mayor Fred Lim.”
Lim was a member of the ruling Partido Demokratiko PilipinoLakas ng Bayan ( PDP- Laban), headed by Pimentel.
“Through his support for PDP Laban, he became a true friend of mine. We will certainly miss his words of wisdom, advice, friendship, and support,” said the PDP president.
Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid also expressed sadness with the passing of an honest public servant due to Covid-19.
“Mas a kits a a ming mg a kai big an
ni Fred nasahu ling sand ali, hindi man lang na min si yam ada law at hindi man l an gk ami nakap ag pa ala mng ma ay os( I tis painful for us friends of Fred that at the last minute we were not able to visit him and say our goodbye properly),” he said in a statement.
Lapid and Lim were colleagues during the 13th Congress.