TINGOG.COM THE VOICE OF A FILIPINO: PROVEN WRONG, ALFREDO LIM’S SON OUT OF JAIL

I’m not above saying that I am wrong. And in the case of Alfredo Lim’s son, Manuel Lim, and his “alleged” involvement in a drug buy-bust operation, in which he “sold drugs”, I had first thought that Alfredo Lim’s “hands off” approach was a noteworthy sign that Alfredo Lim stood by his principles. Until that is, a few days ago, when his son was able to post bail, in the amount of P400,000. In which, in normal circumstances, it is impossible to post such a bail. And after a few blunt remarks from readers, I had to address this story.

Many of men, have been put behind bars for life, for much lesser circumstances, and yet, Lim’s son, Manuel Lim, a “known” drug user, who in a drug bust, went inside a car where money was exchanged, drugs were exchanged, is now out on bail. Such a serious crime, deserves no bail, especially when drugs plays such a devastating role in our society. I know first hand, what drugs can do to an entire community, when the result is murder, and the death of an innocent individual.

Atty. Bagatsing: Did you personally see the transaction inside the car?

Arresting Officer: No Sir. I only have knowledge that they have boarded.

Are they kidding us? What the hell do they expect us to think they did in the car? Give each other blowjobs?

And according to Atty. Bagatsing, because the backside of Manuel’s hands also had fluorescent powder from the marked money, that it can’t be possible for Manuel to have handled the money. What he doesn’t mention that both sides had the powder! I don’t know about this Attorney, but trust me, when you handle money, powder will eventually get on everything, and just touching your hands together is enough to have the powder spread.

And yes, of course, there is no evidence that Alfredo Lim had any involvement in the release of his son, and Lim is denying that he had a hand in it as well. But let’s be honest people, let’s really step back and decipher it for ourselves. When the father is as powerful as Alfredo Lim, and in a case like this, can we really believe Alfredo Lim?

But, this is besides the point, according to the Dangerous Drugs Act, anyone caught with more than 50 grams of shabu cannot post bail. Manuel had around 100 grams of Shabu.

I may have been wrong before, because maybe of my need to see the good in Alfredo Lim, but maybe I was too quick to commit such an act of faith. Shame on me I guess. I bet every damn drug dealer, pusher, and user, wishes they had Alfredo Lim as their father.

Such a despicable act of hypocrisy. And we wonder why, drugs, murder, and corruption still pervades our country. And why Mayor’s talk tough when it comes to drugs only to garner pogi points for elections. Manuel Lim, let’s get this guy off the streets! Alfredo Lim, let’s get this guy out of government!

http://www.tingog.com/politics/proven-wrong-alfredo-lims-son-out-of-jail.html

Ombudsman wants Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno, 20 others probed on sale of Century Parkr

Ombudsman wants Lim, Moreno, 20 others probed on sale of Century Park

By Charlie V. Manalo
The Daily Tribune
03/31/2010

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered a probe of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno along with 20 city councilors and several officials for the alleged rigged sale of a five-star hotel in Manila.

According to Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus, Ombudsman spokesman, they will now evaluate the case against Lim and the other officials of Manila and proceed accordingly with the rules of their office.

The Ombudsman official said after evaluating the case, if warranted, they will proceed with the preliminary investigation of the case to determine if there is probable cause to indict them criminally before the Sandiganbayan or they could be found administratively liable.

“We will evaluate and proceed accordingly (with the investigation) and if warranted we will proceed with the official investigation of the case,” De Jesus said.

He added Lim and the other officials could still be subjected to preventive suspension despite the existing election ban in imposing penalties on government officials because the case filed against Lim and the Manila officials is graft.

It was pointed out that as a general rule, the Office of the Ombudsman could no longer impose sanctions during the election period but the only exception is when the crime committed involves graft and corruption.

“As a general rule bawal ng mag-suspend. But in this case covered yan ng suspension if evidence warrant after the conduct of a proper investigation since the crime involved is graft,” De Jesus said.

The case was already docketed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a 24-page Complaint-Affidavit earlier filed by lawyer Reynaldo Bagatsing, Lim and the Manila officials were charged for violating section 3e and g of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for causing undue injury to the government and to private bidders after the sale of the land where Century Park Hotel stands.

Aside from Lim and Moreno or Francisco Dumagoso in real life, also included in the charge sheet were Bids and Awards Committee chairman and secretary to the mayor Rafaelito Garayblas, along with BAC members Lourdes Manlulu, Thelma Perez, Alicia Moscaya, Roberto Amores, Racquel Acosta and Ronald Siojo.

Councilors charged with graft were Moises Lim, Erick Ian Nieva, Arlene Koa, Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Carlo Lopez, Rolando Valeriano, Ernesto Isip Jr., Yul Servo, Maira Sheila Lacuna-Pangan, Luisito Chua, Edward Maceda, Victoriano Melendez, Roderick Valbuena, Raymundo Yupangco, Josefina Siscar, Ernesto Rivera, Danilo Victor Lacuna and Russel Ibay.

The officials were also charged for violating the Local Government Code for giving undue preference to a private party and entering into a contract without the benefit of public bidding.

It was alleged in the complaint that on Sept. 16, 2008 a public bidding was conducted but they announced that it is a failed bidding. The property covered is the real property of Century Park Hotel owned by the City of Manila which is 45,680 square meters.

Bidding was repeated on Sept. 30, 2008 after publication and two bidders participated, namely, Maranaw Hotels and Restaurant Corp. which submitted a bid of P1 billion and AM Oreta and Co. Inc. which tendered a bid of P997,300,000.

Bagatsing argued that Lim, Moreno and the other officials committed criminal acts when they disposed the two parcels of land through a rigged bidding after passing City Council Resolution 176 Series of 2008 which “authorized City Mayor Alfredo Lim to enter into a negotiated sale of the property of the City of Manila.”

This was followed by a malicious notice and defective Notice of Public Auction questionable proceedings of the Committee on Awards of the City of Manila. The three-day notice given in the newspapers of the sale is not fair and equal chance to participate in the public auction.

It was also stated that supplementary contract entered into by and between the City of Manila and Tourist Trade and Travel Corporation on Aug. 1, 2003 clearly shows that the market value of the improvements (Century Park Hotel) is already valued at P1 billion.

It was stated in the final appraisal report the entire property will command an aggregate value of P1,705,339,637, resulting in a deficit of at least P705,339,537.

Bandera Tapatan: Lito Atienza, Alfredo Lim

Panayam ng Bandera kay Lito Atienza

SI Lito Atienza, 59, ay ipinanganak sa San Andres Bukid noong Agosto 10, 1941.
Bago naging Secretary ng Environment and Natural Resources, natapos ni Atienza ang tatlong termino bilang mayor ng Maynila. Ngayong darating na halalan ay sasabak muli siya sa pagkamayor ng lungsod. Iboboto ba siya ng Manileño?

BANDERA: Ano ang dahilan kung bakit nais ninyong maging mayor ng Maynila?

Lito Atienza: Kailangan ng programang pangkabuhayan para sa mga Manileño kaya muli akong tatakbo. Noong panahon ko ay mayroon tayong itinulak na “buhayin ang Maynila” which helped the city.
Ano ang tatlong dahilan kung bakit kayo ang dapat iboto ng mamamayan ng inyong syudad? may massive housing program kami at land for the landlesspeace and order. Manila became most peaceful dati-rati. Number one kami sa peace and order pero nawala na. Laganap ngayon ang krimen. Graft and corruption ay dapat lutasin.

Kung sakaling kayo ay mahalal ano ang tatlong bagay na inyong gagawin sa unang 100 araw ninyo sa puwesto?

Ipagpatuloy ang kampanya laban sa droga. Wala kaming naki-kitang drug campaign in Manila sa ngayon kaya ipagpapatuloy ko ang kampanya laban sa droga. Babawiin ang Century Park Tanggalin ang oil depot at ilipat sa isang lugar na malayo sa pamayanan at ilipat sa malapit sa dagat. Hindi totoong maraming nakatira sa Pandacan ang nagtatrabaho sa oil depot, karamihan sa mga empleyado sa oil depot ay hindi taga-Pandacan. Kapag naalis na natin ang oil depot ay papasukin na ng mga negosyante yan dahil papagandahin natin yan. Magtatatag ako ng malawakang urban poor affairs and poverty alleviation office. Diyan natin ilalagay ang programa lahat ng usapin sa pagtulong sa mahihirap. Tatanggalin ang “kamag-anak incorporated”.

I-rank mula sa pinaka importante hanggang sa least important ang mga sumusunod na problema ng Maynila — squatters, garbage, peace and order, drugs, illegal gambling; at bakit?

Hindi inaayos ng isa-isa yan kundi sabay-sabay na asikasuhin. Peace and order, drugs, pabahay lahat yan dapat asikasuhin at ayusin. Ang bottom line niyan ay ekonomiya, kung maayos ang ekonomiya ay walang kahirapan.

Pinaka malaking problema ng Maynila, paano ito sosolusyunan?

Kailangan palusugin ang ekonomiya. Kapag may trabaho, negosyo ang tao, ang gobyerno ay mayroong maayos na koleksyon at marami kang maibibgay para sa mga mamamayan. Babaguhin ko ang pananaw ng mga tao hinggil sa “kotong” at dapat walang kotong. Peace and order pa rin laban sa krimen, drug addict at drug pusher.

Ano ang tatlong bagay na meron ka at wala ang kalaban mo?

Experience in management, 9 years continued service. Naging Cabinet member tayo ng isang pinakamalaking kagawaran ng ating gobyerno national. Vision pa rin natin na buhayin ang Maynila which is to fight poverty. Yung dalawang kalaban natin (Lim at Avelino Razon) ay parehong pulis palagay ko naman ay deperensya ng pulis mentality at civilian ay fundamental and basic.

Ano rin naman ang tatlong bagay na meron ang kalaban mo na wala ka?

Mga pangalan nila (laughs). Wala akong nakikitang kaibahan nila. Actually, I think they are the same sa kanilang kakayahan.

Malaki ang problema ng Maynila sa abortion, paano ninyo ito sosolusyunan?

Yan ang nilalabanan namin. The most heinous crime that a man can commit is abortion, ang pinapatay mo diyan ay ang pinakainosenteng buhay ng tao, ang sanggol. Patuloy kaming magbibigay ng edukasyon sa mga tao na huwag maging iresponsable. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang “responsible parenthood” at proper values. Ang abortion kasi ay galing sa irresponsible parenthood.

Ano ang posisyon nyo sa RH bill?

Kontra ako sa RH bill dahil maling solusyon yan sa isang problema ng bayan. Hindi solusyon ang magbawas ng tao, hindi pa ba tayo natuto na ang China ay pinakamaraming tao pero sila ay maunlad na bansa. Mag-kontrol ka pero gamitin mo yung natural na paraan. Mali yung katulad ngayon na nagkakalat ang “condom” sa Avenida Rizal, para nilang sinabi sa mga kabataan na gawin ninyo ang gusto ninyong gawin basta gumamit kayo ng condom mali iyon.

Anong lifestyle meron si Atienza?

BANDERA: Ilang bahay meron po kayo? Dalawang bahay yung isa town house sa Ecoville.

Sa bahay na tinutuluyan ninyo ngayon, ilang silid meron ito? Dalawa at doon natutulog ang dalawa na-ming ampon dahil yung mga anak ko ay may mga pamilya na at may sarili na rin silang bahay.

Ilan ang cr? Dalawa

Ilan ang kasambahay? Tatlo, yung isa naka-focus sa dalawang ampon namin.

Ilang sasakyan meron kayo? Ang naka-rehistro sa akin ay yung ibinigay ni Manny Pacquiao na Toyota Land Cruiser. Yung ibang sasakyan ay sa mga anak ko.

Ilan ang driver? Isa lang.
Magkano ang ilalabas ninyong pera sa eleksyong ito? Wala pang exact figure ng expenses, pagkatapos ng election saka natin malalaman yan. Galing lang sa mga tunay na kaibigan ang tumutulong.

Maaari ba naming malaman kung sino ang top 3 fund contributors ninyo? Puro long time friends ang tumutulong sa aten.

Panayam kay Alfredo Lim
Si Alfredo Lim, 71, ay ipinanganak noong Disyembre 21, 1929. Naging mayor na siya ng Maynila noong 1992 hanggang 1998. Naging senador at muling nailuklok sa pagkaalkalde ng Maynila noong 2007.
Uubra pa rin kaya si Lim ngayon sa mga Manileno matapos nilang masubukan ang kanyang kalibre?
BANDERA: Anong dahilan kung bakit sa tingin ninyo ay kayo pa rin an iboboto ng mga taga Maynila?
ALFREDO LIM: Marami na rin akong nagawa at ang prayoridad ko ay health. Nagpatayo na ko ng mga ospital at may mga ipinapatayo pa kong ospital. Sa anim na ospital, lima na yung nabuksan yung isa ay under construction pa. May dalawang nabuksang school sa Maynila na libre ang pag-aaral at kahit anong bayarin ay wala ng babayaran ang mga estudyante.

Kung kayo ay mahahalal muli, ano ang tatlong bagay na inyong gagawin sa unang 100 araw ninyo sa inyong tanggapan?Financial center sa likod ng Manila Hotel along Bonifacio drive hanggang sa Delpan Bridge. A 30-storey high rise condo ang gagawin ko para din sa financial center. Ipagigiba ang mga lumang establisimento doon at irerenovate yun para sa bagong financial center.Establishment of City Transport system, na iikot sa buong lungsod ng Maynila ang 10 aircon buses pero 50 porysento lamang ang pamasahe sa original na pamasahe. Build a high rise low cost condominium para sa mga pamilya na nasa squatters area

Paano ninyo sosolusyunan ang mga problema hinggil sa oil depot, squatters, sugal, kotong cops? Ang tungkol sa oil depot, may usapan na diyan na in five years time mag-face out na sila. Tutol ang Canadian, American chambers of commerce and other chambers of commerce dahil maaapektuhan ang kanilang investments. Yung mga nakatira malapit sa oil depot ang tutol dahil yun din ang pinagkukunan nila ng pangkabuhayan. Kung ililipat ng lugar, eh dapat hindi mawalan ng trabaho ang mga mamamayan lalo na yung taga lungsod ng Maynila. I now realized the difficulties of facing out oil companies. Dapat walang displacement para yung mga nagtatrabaho doon eh hindi mawalan ng trabaho. Squatters. Hindi pwedeng tanggalin ang squatters unless may relocation na sila.

Kotong cops. Mahigpit ako lalo na sa kotong. May 22 na akong pinadismiss dahil sa kotong.
Iligal na sugal. Ang mga iligal na sugal ay ipinahuhuli ko, bawal yun lalo na sa lunsod. They have to be regulated. Mahigpit ang kampanya namin laban sa sugal.
Ano ang posisyon ninyo sa Reproductive Health bill? Tutol ako sa Reproductive Health Bill dahil Catholic kami. Kung ano ang sinasabi ng inyong relihiyon ay yun ang sundin nyo. Tutol din ako na ituro sa elementary ang sex education, sa high school pwede. Tutol din ako sa sinabi ng gobyerno na bumili ng mga contraceptives, we never do that.

Ano ang tatlong bagay na meron ka at wala ang mga kalaban mo (Atienza at Razon)?
Dedication sa trabaho at sa public service. Tumutulong sa nangangailangan kaya ako andito.Clean and honest governance focus on highest interest and welfare of the city and its constituents.Walang personal o political interest
Ano naman sa tingin mo ang mga katangian ng iyong mga kalaban na meron ka rin?
Sincerity, pakikitungo sa tao at paglilingkod sa bayan.
Anong uri ng lifestyle meron si Lim?

BANDERA: Ilang bahay meron po kayo? Isa sa Fairview(Quezon City); isa sa Tondo; isang lote sa QC pero tumutuloy ako ngayon sa Legaspi towers.

Sa bahay na tinutuluyan ninyo ngayon, ilang silid meron ito? Three bedrooms

Ilan ang cr?Dalawang CR

Ilan ang inyong mga kasambahay? Tatlo

Ano ang pangunahing pinagkakakitaan ng pamilya? Family business (hindi tinukoy kung ano)
Rough estimate ng family income? P250,000 a month galing sa family business.

Ilang sasakyan meron kayo? Tatlo

Anu-ano po ang mga ito? Isang kotse at dalawang van

Kani-kanino nakapangalan ang mga ito? Sa akin mismo nakapangalan

Ilan ang inyong driver? Dalawa

Magkano ang ilalabas ninyong pera sa eleksyog ito? Wala pang figures dahil sa hindi pa ako nagkakabit ng mga posters dahil sa March 26 pa ang simula ng kampanya.

Maaari ba naming malaman kung sino ang top 3 fund contributors ninyo? Aalamin ko muna kung gusto nilang ipasabi ang kanilang mga pangalan, pero mga close friends ang tumutulong sa atin.

BANDERA, 031210

from → Balita, Bantay Boto 2010: Presidential Election coverage

Graft raps filed vs Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Vice-Mayor Isko Moreno for P1B sale of Century Park Hotel

Graft raps filed vs Lim, Isko for P1B sale of Century Park Hotel
by People’s Tonight
Monday, 01 March 2010 20:13

GRAFT charges were filed yesterday before the Office of the Ombudsman against Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim, Vice Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, 20 councilors, four other city officials and four John Does for the allegedly fraudulent bidding and sale of the Century Park Hotel at a bargain price of P 1billion.

Atty. Reynaldo L. Bagatsing, erstwhile legal adviser of Lim and former close friend, pointed out in a 26-page complaint that the transaction should be nullified and the perpetrators penalized as it is “manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the City of Manila. The Century Park Hotel is a five-star crown jewel of the city government and sits on a 4.5 hectare prime property that could easily fetch a P 3 billion price tag.”

Bagatsing also noted that on paper, as reflected by documents obtained from the City Assessor’s Office, the land alone occupied by the hotel at the “mysteriously reduced area of 22, 967 square meters is already worth P 965,261,850 or almost P1 billion. This is not the actual market value because the zonal valuation of the land made by the Bureau of Internal Revenue was conducted in 2005 in addition to the fact that present selling price of prime properties in the Malate-Ermita district ranges from P 50,000 to P 80,000 per square meter.”

The hotel building, Bagatsing pointed out, underwent an upgrading or renovation works few years ago undertaken by the Tourist Trade and Travel Corporation, the original lease holder, at a cost of P 1 billion as reflected in a supplementary contract it entered into with the city government. “This clearly shows that the hotel building alone and the improvements thereat is worth more than P 1 billion.”

Records show that the winning bidder, which now owns Century Park Hotel, and the 4.5 hectare land it occupies is Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation which submitted a P1 billion bid. The firm is publicly known to be owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan. Tan’s firm actually obtained the rights to operate the hotel in 2003 from Tourist Trade and Travel Corporation of the Martel family.

Tan is not yet named in the graft complaint pending verification of documents, instead four “John Does” were listed, Bagatsing said. Only lawyer Melissa Saez Co, who represented Maranaw Hotels & Resort Corporation in the bidding, was included in the charge sheet. Aside from Lim and Vice Mayor Domagoso, also named as respondents were Secretary to the Mayor Rafaelito Garayblas, chairman of the bid and awards committee; Maria Lourdes Manlulu, Alicia T. Moscaya and Thelma Perez, members.

Twenty councilors were also included in the complaint for their role in granting Mayor Lim the authority to negotiate the sale of the hotel through City Council Resolution No. 176 adopted on August 5, 2008 and for affirming or ratifying the award and sale to the Tan firm through Resolution No. 278 approved on December 23, 2008. The councilors include Moises Lim, Erick Ian Nieva, Arlene Koa, Ernesto Dionesio,Jr., Carlo Lopez, Rolando Valeriano, Ernesto isip,Jr., John Martin Nieto (the actor known as Yul Servo), Maria Shiela Lacuna-Pangan, Luisito Chua, Edward Maceda, Victoriano Melendez, Roderick Valbuena, Raymundo Yupangco, Josefina Siscar, Ernesto Rivera, Danilo Victor Lacuna, Luciano Veloso, Philip Lacuna and Russel Ibay.

Bagatsing stressed that while it pains him to sue Lim because the mayor was formerly a close friend but find it necessary and an obligation as a taxpayer and Manila resident to bring him and his cohorts before the bar justice. “It is certainly the duty of every citizen to protect their rights. Public interest dictates that Lim should be made to answer for a wrongful act.”

At the same time Bagatsing also challenged the political opponents of Lim to issue a public commitment and assurance that should they win in the forthcoming 2010 elections, they will nullify the sale of the Century Park Hotel. “After recovery, the city government should proceed in disposing the property in a transparent and open public bidding,” he added.

The anti-graft crusader and lawyer also lamented the undue haste the sale of Century Park Hotel was undertaken. “There was evident rush in having it disposed in a period of only five months since August 5, 2008 when the City Council granted Lim the authority to negotiate the sale. It must be noted that the Committee on Bid and Awards immediately caused the publication on September 8 and 12, 2008 a notice of auction in the Philippine Star. The bidding was held September 16 with Garayblas presiding. He declared a failure of bidding because only Maranaw Hotel and Resort Corporation made an offer.

“On September 18 & 23, the Garayblas Committee again caused the publication of a second notice of public auction, also in the Philippine Star. But it contained factual errors so it also caused the publication of an erratum on September 27 clarifying that the sale involved two parcels of land occupied by the hotel and not 20 parcels as contained in the second notice of auction.

“The second auction was held September 30, 2008 with Maranaw Hotels and Resort Corporation offering a P 1billion bid and A. M. Oreta & Co., Inc. that presented the miraculously close bid of P997,300,000.00 or a hairline difference of only P 2,700,000.00. This was obviously a companion bid submitted few days before the September 30 second bidding,” Bagatsing pointed out.

He said the Ombudsman should also look into the mysterious reduction of the lot area actually occupied by hotel which is 45,689 square meters to only 22,967 square meters in the contract or a difference of 22, 722 square meters. “This could actually be a case of a clever attempt to reduce the price tag for the said property which clearly makes this transaction a sweetheart deal,” he added.

Atienza son claims harassment by Manila City Hall department heads

Atienza son claims harassment by Manila city hall department heads
By Nestor Etolle (The Philippine Star) Updated February 25, 2010 12:00 AM

MANILA, Philippines – Concerned Manila residents yesterday called on the police and other government agencies to look into the alleged harassment of City Hall personnel who tore down and removed posters of former Manila mayor Lito Atienza.

The residents, led by Atienza’s son Ali, enumerated before mediamen several incidents involving personnel from the City Hall’s Department of Public Safety who almost figured into clashes with supporters of the former mayor and secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The young Atienza said that on Monday men on board an Elf van (SHP-763) tore down and removed information posters of Atienza at the Tanbunting area along Aurora Boulevard. The men were reportedly personnel from the DPS, which is headed by former policeman Caloy Baltazar, a known ally of Mayor Alfredo Lim.

The DPS men were warned by residents not to remove those posters since they were put on private properties and allowed by the house owners to show their support for Atienza, Ali said. However, the DPS men continued with the removal of the posters.

At around 10 a.m. along Honorio Lopez Blvd. in Tondo, another DPS truck (565) arrived and the men on board also removed Atienza posters, Ali said. The same was repeated along Quezon Boulevard in Quiapo past 2 p.m., Ali said.

DPS personnel and residents also clashed in Tondo yesterday when some irate residents broke the windshield of a DPS van. The residents observed that it was only Atienza’s posters that were being removed by the DPS men.

“I am only wondering why these DPS personnel are singling out the posters of my father,” Ali told mediamen.

The young Atienza said that the situation is not fair since Lim also has a lot of campaign materials posted in several places, and asked why Lim has not ordered the removal of his own posters and tarpaulins in Manila.

Ali said they are now gathering more evidence for the filing of appropriate charges on the DPS personnel and Baltazar before the Civil Service Commission. He also called on the police to remain vigilant on the streets to thwart an impending clash of DPS men and residents that could lead to loss of lives and properties.

Lim, Atienza and former Palace adviser on the peace process Avelino Razon will slug it out for the mayoralty race on May 10.

The STAR tried to get the reaction of Baltazar but was told he was not at his office attending to some commitments. – With Sandy Araneta

MANILA MAYOR ALFREDO LIM AND HIS MANY FAILURES IN GOVERNANCE

Lost pearl
FIRST PERSON By Alex Magno (The Philippine Star) Updated December 19, 2009 12:00 AM

Manila was once called The Pearl of the Orient Seas. Today, it looks more like Asia’s cesspool.

When a fire hit what was once called “downtown Manila”, the blaze moved quickly through what has become a crowded shantytown. In an instant, 3,000 families lost their homes.

Not only was the city government’s response to the fire poor, it did not have evacuation and relocation capabilities to deal with the human tragedy that followed the fire. Three thousand families are now part of that dark, barely visible mass inhabiting the sidewalks and even colonizing the bay walk — an area once designated as the epicenter of the city’s rebirth.

Instead of quickly evolving a program to mitigate the misery of the thousands of victims of the fire, the city government concentrated on fencing off the burnt out area — apparently in preparation for selling that now cleared area to a property developer. That could be a most profitable deal, not necessarily for the city. Just recently a large piece of the city’s land, where a 5-star hotel sits, was sold for what people in the know say is a bargain-basement assessment.

The once fashionable Avenida Rizal — in another age the heart and soul of Filipino civilization — is now a dark and dingy street, choked with pedicabs and even horse-drawn carriages. There was an effort, some years back, to reinvent Avenida as a brightly-lit pedestrian mall recalling its glorious past as the center of fashion, commerce and the arts. That effort was scuttled by the presently sitting mayor and the area was allowed to degenerate into a dim and dinghy black hole.

One cannot walk the streets of the old city without becoming overcome with fear of pickpockets and holdup artists. I generally avoid going to Manila, except for an occasional golf game in Intramuros or the quarterly exercise of emptying my pigeonhole at the offices of this newspaper. The streets are always choked and traffic flow is always chaotic.

It was once a pleasure to walk through the Luneta Park and listen to live concerts being played there. Today the place stinks. The grass is dead. There is no decent place to eat or have a decent cup of coffee.

It seems this city began dying a little more quickly during the tenure of Mayor Alfredo Lim.

When he assumed office, Lim promised to ban provincial buses from the crowded Lawton area. Today, the place is even more crowded with buses.

He promised the Archbishop of Manila that, in the event his city council passed an ordinance prolonging the stay of the fuel depots in Pandacan, he would promptly veto the measure. When the measure was passed, the Mayor, acting like he was in some sort of divine delirium, pronounced he had heard the voice of the people and not only allowed the depots to stay but invited all sorts of hazardous industries to the banks of the dying Pasig River.

With Lim in charge, everything seemed permissible in this chaotic city. Peddlers of every sort colonized the streets. There was no housing program of any note initiated to absorb the great number of denizens inhabiting the sidewalks. Taft Avenue began to resemble an obstacle course for pedestrians.

There is no economic plan to liberate the city from the grip of poverty, no plan for urban renewal to mitigate the stench. The esteros continued to deteriorate. There are few public services in sight, not one new public toilet and not a new restaurant row.

The city had not upgraded its educational institutions. There is no employment program for precisely the locality with the highest rate of unemployment in the whole country.

I am not sure if public medical services in the city have been upgraded in any way. I have seen no new medical facility that the people of Manila could run to when they need expert medical attention.

For some reason, I recall Autumn of the Patriarch whenever I think about Mayor Lim and the degenerating city he presides over. In the novel, the ageing patriarch just sits and does nothing — and would not go away.

Lim is, of course, seeking reelection in a city that has become even more decrepit since he took the reins. It seems he has spent his entire term tearing down the beautification projects of his predecessor and sending off his barangay officials to Hong Kong for rest and recreation.

His people have mounted a strange sort of campaign against his main challenger: the three-term, undefeated former mayor Lito Atienza. Last week, his people tried to tar Atienza by concocting some story about Atienza’s people tearing down Cory streamers in the city.

That sounds rather unthinkable. When Lim served the Marcos dictatorship, Atienza suffered with the democratic opposition. When the Liberal party rally was bombed in Plaza Miranda, Atienza was among those injured. The current DENR secretary was once of the handful of assemblymen who supported the possibility of Cory Aquino challenging Marcos. He then served the Cory administration as NHA administrator.

Perhaps Lim and his people should try and elevate the quality of the local electoral contest in Manila. He can start by presenting a report of his service as chief executive of the city. He might try to recount the promises he made at the start so the people can see if these promises were fulfilled.

This might be a bit of a challenge: he might try and present a plan for rehabilitating this debilitated city. The danger in doing this, of course, is that any conceivable plan for redeeming Manila will militate against Lim’s record as mayor.

Atienza to Lim: What bankruptcy?

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza yesterday denounced allegations that the City of Manila was “bankrupt” after his third term as mayor of the country’s capital.

“Records clearly show that Manila had a P2.6-billion fund after my term officially expired in 2007,” he said, standing on his track record as the only Manila mayor elected for three consecutive terms.

Atienza said his nine-year administration gave the city “a very healthy economy” that efficiently collected taxes which were returned to residents through the Buhayin ang Maynila urban renewal and development program.

“Inheriting a poor annual revenue collection of only P2 billion from my predecessor in 1998, my administration, through innovative reforms, overwhelmingly raised it up to P8 billion. Our income-generating efforts were evidenced by topping the ranks in a centerspread published 2006 financial report of no less than the Commission on Audit and Department of Finance,” he said, referring the incumbent.

He said hospitals and health centers had adequate equipment and medicine stocks while nutrition programs were in place.

Atienza noted that young Manilans, especially from poor families, obtained quality education even as businesses thrived, generating jobs and livelihood.

He said transactions were streamlined to do away with red tape and corruption.

Manila was safe, he added, because law violators were arrested and punished.

With garbage regularly collected and roads well maintained, the city enjoyed a clean and healthy environment.

“We had a vision pursued and delivered. My performance as Manila’s father is proof of genuine public service. Lies being peddled must be corrected.”

Atienza said the present administration had no one else to blame for its bankruptcy.
METRO SECTION-MANILA STANDARD AUGUST 3,2009

Razon confirms bid for Manila mayor

Razon confirms bid for Manila mayor
By Nestor Etolle, The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – It will be a battle of former police chiefs for Manila’s mayoral post in the May 2010 elections.

Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Avelino Razon Jr., who became chief of the Manila Police District twice in 1997 and 2000, announced his bid for the mayoral post of Manila when he attended the blessing and inauguration of the MPD branch of the Philippine National Police Services Stores System yesterday morning.

“I will definitely run for mayor of Manila in the May 2010 elections. Manila residents are calling for alternative and change (in leadership) and I will offer my humble self to them,” Razon told The STAR.

Razon, fondly called “Kuya Sonny” by Manilans, said he came to know of the concerns of city residents in several consultation meetings he had attended, especially in depressed areas.

“Health care, job opportunities and respect and protection of their basic human rights are the prime concerns of Manila residents, and they are looking for a leader who can deliver them justly and equitably,” Razon said, adding that he would seek the highest post in the city under a platform of change.

Razon, who became PNP chief in 2008, is the author of the PNP Transformation Program, which seeks to change the tarnished image of policemen.

He was popularly known among the masses as “Mamang Pulis” during his police career.

He said he has no political party at the moment, but might join the Asenso Manileño of Vice Mayor Isko Moreno whom he may tap as running mate.

Political watchers said it would be a battle of two former Manila police chiefs if Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim decides to seek re-election. Lim also once headed the MPD.

Former three-time Manila mayor Lito Atienza, now environment and natural resources secretary, is also reportedly thinking of a comeback as the city’s chief executive.

Lim at Atienza, insecure kay General Razon

Lim at Atienza, insecure kay General Razon
BANAT NI BATUIGAS Ni Bening Batuigas Updated April 14, 2009 12:00 AM
Pilipino Star Ngayon
(Part 1)

HINDI mapakali ang kampo nina Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim at DENR Sec. Lito Atienza habang nag-iikot si dating PNP chief Avelino Razon sa Kamaynilaan para ipaliwanag ang proseso ng peace process. Si Razon kasi mga suki ang presidential adviser ng peace process kaya minabuti niyang ipaliwanag sa mga urban poor ang trabaho niya. Kaya lang, habang nag-iikot si Razon sa Tondo at iba pang lugar sa Maynila, aba mukhang nai-insecure na ang kampo nina Lim at Atienza. Bakit kaya? Alam kong ibinabando na ng kampo nina Lim at Atienza na magsasagupa sila sa labanan ng pagka-mayor ng Maynila sa 2010 national elections. At bakit nai-insecure sila ke Razon na pilit na pinapa-intinde sa urban poor ang trabaho niya? Ahhh! Sina Lim lang at Atienza ang nakakaalam ng dahilan, di ba mga suki?

Kung sabagay si Razon ay naging hepe ng MPD, ng NCRPO at ng PNP. Sa mahigit 30 taon niyang panunung­kulan sa gobyerno, makikita naman na ang sinasabing public service ang inuna niya. Kaya naman napremyuhan siya ni President Arroyo bilang kalihim nga at sa peace process kung saan angkop sa experience niya. Kailan lang kasi nagretiro sa PNP si Razon at ilang araw lang ang pahinga niya at nabigyan uli ng puwesto. Kung me tiwala si GMA ke Razon, ibig sabihin niyan pati ang sambayanan eh meron din, di ba mga suki? Kaya hindi dapat pasukan ng pulitika ang pag-iiikot ni Razon hindi lang sa Maynila kundi sa ibang lugar ng Pilipinas dahil saklaw ito ng trabaho niya. Hehehe! Basta ako hindi insecure sa ginagawa ni Razon, di ba mga suki?

Kaya ko naisulat si Razon mga suki dahil kalat na sa MPD na ginigipit siya ng kampo nina Lim at Atienza sa pag-iikot niya sa Maynila. Tulad na lang noong nakaraang Sabado kung saan dapat 200 barangay chairman ng District 2 ang nais makipagpulong ke Razon subalit 50 lang ang dumating. Ang balitang kumakalat sa MPD kaya hindi dumating ang ibang chairman sa meeting ni Razon ay dahil sa hinarass sila ng kampo nina Lim at Atienza. Kaya tuloy iilan lang ang nakarinig ng paliwanag ni Razon ukol sa ginagawang peace process ng gobyerno. Hindi lang naman kasi sa mga MILF nakipag-negosasyon ang gobyerno para sa lasting peace sa bansa kundi maging sa komunista at iba pa. Kaya habang panay suspetsa ang kampo nina Lim at Atienza sa adhikain ni Razon, ang natatalo ay ang gobyerno natin. Hehehe! Mukhang hindi na nakakatulog ang kampo ni Lim at Atienza sa insecurities nila ke Razon ah, di ba mga suki?

May balita pa na matapos magpaliwanag din ang kabuluhan ng peace process ng gobyerno sa Muslim Center sa Quiapo, aba nagplano na ang kampo ni Mayor Lim na ipa-demolish ang mga bahay doon na sa tingin niya ay mga squatters. Di ba ang tawag diyan ay benggansa? Abangan!