Alfredo Lim

Alfredo "Fred" S. Lim
Mayor Lim talking to reporters in Mendiola Bridge at Manila in year January 22, 2008
20th Mayor of Manila
In office 30 June 2007 – 30 June 2013
Vice Mayor	Isko Moreno
Preceded by	Lito Atienza
Succeeded by	Joseph Estrada
In office 30 June 1992 – 27 March 1998
Vice Mayor	Lito Atienza
Preceded by	Mel Lopez
Succeeded by	Lito Atienza
Senator of the Philippines
In office 30 June 2004 – 30 June 2007[1]
Secretary of the Interior and Local Government
In office 8 January 2000 – 20 January 2001
President	Joseph Estrada
Preceded by	Ronaldo Puno
Succeeded by	José Lina, Jr.
Director, National Bureau of Investigation
In office 1989–1992
Preceded by	Antonio M. Cárpio
Succeeded by	Epimaco Velasco
Personal details
Born	December 21, 1929 Manila, Philippine Islands
Political party	Liberal Party (1998–1999, 2009-Present)
Other political affiliations	People's Reform Party (1992-1998) Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (1999-2008)
Spouse(s)	Amalia Santos (1950-1994) Gemma Alivio
Alma mater	University of the East National Defense College of the Philippines
Occupation	Police officer, Politician, Lawyer
Religion	Roman Catholicism
Website	http://www.alfredolim.com

Alfredo Siojo Lim (Chinese: 林雯洛; pinyin: Lín Wénluò; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lîm Bûn-lo̍k; born 21 December 1929) is a Chinese Filipino politician who served as Mayor of the City of Manila from 1992 to 1998 and 2007 to 2013 and senator of the Philippines from 2004 to 2007.

Prior to entering politics, Lim served as a policeman for three decades. During the administration of President Corazon Aquino, he was appointed as the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

In 1992, he ran as mayor of Manila and won, serving until 1998. He made an unsuccessful bid to the presidency in 1998. Two years later, in 2000, he was appointed by President Joseph Estrada as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). During the 2004 elections, he ran for senator and won. Three years later, in 2007, he decided not to finish his term in the Senate and ran again for mayor of Manila. He lost his bid for a fifth nonconsecutive term to Estrada in 2013.^[2]

Because of his tough stance against suspected criminals, Lim was able to earn the nickname “Dirty Harry.”

Early life and career

Lim was born on 21 December 1929 at the Emmanuel Community Hospital in Manuguit, Tondo, Manila to Rosario Siojo, a Filipina with Chinese ancestry from the Siojo family of San Miguel, Bulacan. His father, Alfredo Lim, Sr., died before he was born. When he was in pre-school, his mother remarried and left him at the Hospicio de San Jose. When he was in the third grade, he was put under the care of his maternal grandmother, Flora Siojo. After his grandmother’s death in 1943, he lived with his godmother, Dolores La’o-Conde.

He finished primary school as a salutatorian at the P. Gomez Elementary School in 1943. While in high school, Lim studied in four different schools. He spent his first year at the Bohol Institute of Technology and the next year at San Beda College. He then transferred to UST High School for his third year and then at the Far Eastern University, where he graduated in 1948. He earned a degree of Business Administration in 1951 and a Bachelor of Law in 1963 at the University of the East. In 1981, he finished his master's degree in national security administration with honours at the National Defense College of the Philippines.

When Lim began work in the police in the 1950s, one of his first accomplishments was arresting future Senator Robert Barbers for illegal possession of firearms. Then Manila Vice Mayor James Barbers tried to negotiate with Lim to release Robert Barbers without charges, but Lim proceeded to file it anyway. A decorated police officer, Lim earned numerous commendations and awards. During the late 1980s, Lim helped defend the government of then-President Corazon Aquino from leftist elements, such as leading the retaking of government installations from military rebels during one of the 1987 coup attempts. After retiring from the police, Lim was appointed Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, where he lobbied for more funding and pay increases for agents and other employees. Since regular agents had to be fairly half of the force's positions were vacant, and there were few takers because of the low salary. Lim also lobbied for the position of special investigator which was realised to complement regular agents.

Political career

Mayor of Manila (1992-1998)

In 1992, he beat six opponents in the election to become mayor of Manila. As mayor, he worked on a strong law and order program which lessened crime. Lim also worked on some projects to improve the city's image which had been bad when he assumed office. He pushed reforms in the city government. His slogan was "Magaling na Lider, Disiplinado." Lim was re-elected in 1995. During his first two-terms in office, he earned the nickname "Dirty Harry" for his tough anti-crime policies against suspected and convicted drug pushers and drug runners and the city's red light districts, among others.^[3] He founded the City College of Manila that would serve to complement Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He resigned on March 27, 1998 in order to focus in his presidential campaign.

Presidential run and DILG Secretary (1998-2001)

He ran a failed bid for the presidency as the Liberal Party nominee in the 1998 election, garnering only 8.7% of the vote and finishing fifth in a field of eleven candidates. In January 2000, his rival in the presidential election, President Joseph Estrada appointed him as Secretary of the Interior and Local Government. His stint was cut short when Estrada was ousted during the second EDSA Revolution the following year.

2001 mayoral elections

Lim ran against incumbent Jose Atienza, his former ally and vice-mayor, in 2001. However, he lost to Atienza by almost 80,000 votes.

Senator (2004-2007)

He was elected Senator in the 2004 election. As a senator, Lim introduced legislation to bring back mandatory ROTC, but this bill did not receive any co-sponsors.

Return as mayor (2007-2013)

In 2007, Lim decided to give up his post as senator and ran again for Mayor of Manila. He defeated Atienza’s son, Ali Atienza. Shortly after assuming office, he adopted the slogan "Linisin, Ikarangal (ang) Maynila" (Clean, Dignify Manila, hence the acronym LIM). He ended the ban on holding rallies at Mendiola initiated by his predecessor Jose Atienza Jr., later modifying it by allowing rallies to be held there on weekends and holidays. On July 16, 2007, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Calderon asked him to revoke his ban to prevent militants from marching there. PNP would recommend having protesters take their rallies to freedom parks. Calderon warned that if Lim will not change his position, the PNP will enforce the "no permit, no rally" policy.^[4] Lim also ordered the removal of all business establishments, including bars and restaurants, in the Baywalk area along Roxas Boulevard (also another Atienza project) in an attempt to make the area a "wholesome park for everyone", with an unobstructed view of the famed Manila sunset. He claimed that many of these establishments have no business permits and were selling liquor, which is a violation of applicable city ordinances.^[5]

In December 2007, he told MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando not to conduct its sidewalk clearing operations in Manila since vendors were allowed to sell on sidewalks for humanitarian reasons. He stated: "I jokingly told Chairman Fernando that they are welcome anytime but I cannot guarantee their safety. Their problem is how they will get out."^[6]

On March 14, 2008, Lim's son, Manny Lim and 2 suspects were arrested in a hotel on Tomas Mapua Street by PDEA operatives during a buy–bust operation in Binondo. Manny had in his possession 100 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P600,000.^[7]

On July 17, 2008, Councilor Dennis Alcoreza filed human rights complaints before the Commission on Human Rights, against Lim, and other Manila officials. Alcoreza accused Lim of a violent takeover of a slaughterhouse in Tondo on July 11 and illegal dispersal of protest.^[8] Meanwhile, 24 councilors resigned from their posts as members and heads of the different committees, prompting a reorganization. The councilors unanimously denounced the violent treatment by Lim's Manila Police Department (MPD) towards Alcoreza during the city government’s takeover of the slaughterhouse.^[9]

Lim resigned as head of Joseph Estrada’s Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) in August 2008, following a PMP’s executive committee resolution removing him as president of the party. He was replaced by Estrada, who is also the PMP chairman.^[10][11]

In October 2008, he made ROTC training mandatory for all students at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and City College of Manila (CCM), both city-owned colleges.^[12]

Lim ran for reelection in 2010, with Vice Mayor Isko Moreno as his running mate. Together, they defeated Lim’s predecessor, Atienza, and his running mate, Councilor Bonjay Isip-Garcia. However, Atienza filed an electoral protest, citing discrepancies in the election returns and the consolidation and canvassing system.^[13] He later dropped his protest in January 2013.

On August 23, 2010, former police officer Rolando Mendoza hijacked a tourist bus full of tourists from Hong Kong in order to make demands on the government about a case against him at the Ombudsman that led to his dismissal from service. The government’s failure to negotiate properly with Mendoza led to the killing of eight hostages and of Mendoza himself after almost ten hours of stand-off. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima was tasked to lead an investigation on the incident and determine whose negligence led to the tragedy. Her committee, the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC), found out that there were lapses on Lim’s part that led to the failed resolution of the hostage-drama, thereby recommending the filing of administrative and criminal cases against him and other officials. Malacañang, however, declared Lim’s liability was neglect of duty and misconduct. But, according to a report conducted by the late DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo that was released on April 2013, he was found to have been "administratively liable" for the incident.^[14]

In 2013, he sought another term as mayor, with actor and Councilor Lou Veloso as his running mate but they were defeated by Estrada and Moreno, respectively.

Later career

On 2015, Lim returned to the radio airwaves as co-anchor of "Katapat at Karancho", 8TriMedia's morning commentary program aired on DZRJ-AM.

In the upcoming 2016 mayoral elections, Lim will run again as Manila mayor up against Joseph Estrada of PMP and Amado Bagatsing of KABAKA.^[15]

References

1. Original term up to June 30, 2010; resigned on June 30, 2007 to sit as Manila mayor.
3. I won't help my son: Manila mayor. The Australian News. March 17, 2008.
4. GMA NEWS.TV, PNP asks Lim: Recall 'open-Mendiola policy'
5. ABS-CBNnews.com, No more bars, restos at Baywalk
6. Abs-Cbn Interactive, Lim to BF: Enter Manila at your own risk
7. Inquirer.net, Mayor Lim’s son arrested on drug charge
8. gmanews.tv, Councilor files raps vs Lim, Manila execs before CHR
9. Manila councilors quit newsinfo.inquirer.net, committees over slaughterhouse row
10. abs-cbnnews.com, Lim resigns as PMP president
11. newsinfo.inquirer.net, Mayor Lim resigns from Estrada party
12. http://www.manila.gov.ph/pressrelease08.htm
13. Atienza files election protest against rival Lim
14. Rappler.com, Lim liable for Luneta bloodbath - Robredo report
15. Journal Online, Lim sets comeback

External links

• Official website
• Alfredo Lim on Facebook
• Alfredo Lim on Twitter
• Alfredo Lim's Assets and Liabilities
• The Mayor's Page
• The Official Website of the City of Manila
• Alfredo S. Lim - WikiPilipinas