Lito Atienza and Alfredo Lim Debate: What Went Wrong?

The Rotary Club of Manila held a Polo Club Mayoral Debate last April 22, 2010, participated by mayoralty candidates Lim and Atienza. Various social issues were tackled by the competing candidates during the debate. When the discussion went to the issue of drugs, Lim noted his accomplishments against drug trade and use during his tenure as the city mayor. Yet, his opponent Lito Atienza was in doubt of Lim’s statements due to the involvement of the mayor’s son in selling drugs.

In 2008, the authorities apprehended Lim’s son, Manuel Lim for selling illegal drugs, an offense that is nonbailable an carries with it life imprisonment. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, admitted that his son was busted by the PDEA in 2008, but denied helping his son. Lim, feeling cornered in the discussion, showed resistance to the topic by accusing the son
of his opponent, Ali Atienza, a drug addict. Ali Atienza who was in the audience cried foul and called Lim a liar, saying that how can a national athlete, who competes in international games with strict drug testing procedures, be a drug addict?

Turning red with embarrassment, Alfredo Lim who had no proof about his accusation, tried to cover his statement by pointing to former Vice Mayor Lacuna as the one who stated it. Ali then went on the stage and lectured Alfredo Lim about his track record as a national athlete.Lim spoke no more about his allegations against Atienza, while the moderators of the debate take over to calm down both parties. Lito Atienza remained calm despite the events and managed to continue the debate.

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim tried his best to redeem himself from the humiliating accusation he dropped; however, the program ended with antagonism in the air. As hard as he might have tried though, Lim have already left an
impression toward the thinking crowd of professional Rotarians. Usually Alfredo Lim can get away with lies when he is facing the city’s customary street crowd of vendors, tricycle drivers and the likes; appearing in Tondo one and two with his usual mediocre style of campaigning. It is just disheartening to see how this form of unintelligent debate can take place. As professionals, people were expecting a more academic and intellectual discussions from the candidates.

Soon after, Ali Atienza brought the incident to the media saying that he would be filing a libel case against Lim. During an interview, the son of Lito Atienza said that as an athlete who has represented the Philippines in many international competitions, it was hurtful for him to be accused of being a drug addict. He also said that he worked hard to be on the top of his game, and it was really foul for a mayor to come into a ridiculous accusation against a former athlete, who before competing,
needs to comply with strict drug testing procedures. Even after the election, Atienza is decided to file charges against Lim to protect his reputation.

With election 2010 almost near, it has been a normal practice for competing candidates to speak ill against each other. These ill comments is one way for the candidates to pull down their opponents. However, those who wish to run for office must also realize that speaking ill against opponents is not the right means to win the votes of the public. This is because the public has already given up with the ongoing political drama, and prefer leaders who knows how to walk the talk over those who talks and talks.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim is caught under public scrutiny after he accused the son of Lito Atienza
for being a drug addict. The incident took place during the Mayoralty Debate arranged by the Rotary Club of Manila last April 22 2010. The allegation dropped by Lim angered Ali Atienza, and told the media after the debate that he is ready to press charges against the Mayor even after election 2010 is over. This event could seriously affect Lim’s candidacy.

-Joel Dumayog

Alfredo Lim Lose His Cool, Accused The Son of Lito Atienza As Drug User

Mayoralty candidate Alfredo Lim was cornered at the Polo Club Mayoral debate hosted by the Rotary Club of Manila last April 22, 2010. Various social issues were tackled by the competing candidates during the debate. When the drug problem of Manila was tackled, Lim outlined his strong campaign to prevent the rampant drug trade and use in the city; stating that he incessantly ceased the existence of drugs in Manila during his reign as the city’s Mayor. Yet, his opponent Lito Atienza was in doubt of Lim’s statements due to the involvement of the mayor’s son in selling drugs.

In 2008, the authorities apprehended Lim’s son, Manuel Lim for selling illegal drugs, an offense that is nonbailable an carries with it life imprisonment. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim conceded that his son was arrested by authorities, but claimed that he did
not, in anyway, helped his son with his case. Lim, feeling cornered in the discussion, showed resistance to the topic by accusing the son of his opponent, Ali Atienza, a drug addict. The young Atienza who was in the audience called Lim a liar, as it was impossible for a former athlete like him, who competed in international games, to be a drug addict.

Turning red with embarrassment, Alfredo Lim who had no proof about his accusation, tried to cover his statement by pointing to former Vice Mayor Lacuna as the one who stated it. Ali in defense of himself outlined to Lim his clean track record.The mayor, humiliated by his actions, spoke no further as the moderators of the program appeased both parties. Amidst the heated situation, Lito Atienza managed to stay calm and shrug off the issue, and continued with the debate.

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim tried his best to redeem himself from the humiliating accusation he dropped; however, the program ended
with antagonism in the air. As hard as he might have tried though, Lim have already left an impression toward the thinking crowd of professional Rotarians. Lim usually gets away with his mediocre style of campaigning when he is facing customary crowd of tricycle drivers, vendors and the likes, but he must consider that he was facing professionals. It is just sad to see how a low and unintelligent debate like this can go. As the upcoming leaders of the city, the public expects more from these candidates than the senseless words coming from their mouths.

Soon after, Ali Atienza brought the incident to the media saying that he would be filing a libel case against Lim. During an interview, the son of Lito Atienza said that as an athlete who has represented the Philippines in many international competitions, it was hurtful for him to be accused of being a drug addict. He also said that he worked hard to be on the top of his game, and it was really foul for a mayor to
come into a ridiculous accusation against a former athlete, who before competing, needs to comply with strict drug testing procedures. Even after the election, Atienza is decided to file charges against Lim to protect his reputation.

With election 2010 nearing, it is normal to hear candidates speaking ill against their competitors. This practice has been around for ages, and has since served as a means to drag their competitors down. However, those who wish to run for office must also realize that speaking ill against opponents is not the right means to win the votes of the public. For the record, the public is now tired of drama, what is important is to walk the talk, and not just to talk and talk.

The son of mayoralty candidate Lito Atienza is planning to press charges against his father’s opponent Alfredo Lim after the
current Manila mayor accused him of being a drug addict. The incident took place during the Mayoralty Debate last April 22, 2010 at the Manila Polo Club. Lim dropped the allegations when the topic of drug abuse was tackled. The young Atienza insisted that he would continue the charges even after election 2010 has ended.

-Joel Dumayog

Lito Atienza Is The Most Eligible Man To Vote For Manila Mayor

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza without any doubt is the best man to vote for mayor of the nation’s capital in this coming election 2010. The former DENR secretary has years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record which make him the best person to win the much-coveted seat of the city mayor of this once glamorous and beautiful city. Atienza, the only leader elected for three consecutive three-year mandates, is revered by the entire city for being a true statesman and a father to all Manilenos, and for serving selflessly for the people of the city. One can just look at the former mayor’s countless achievements and numerous completed projects when he was still at
the helm to be able to see vividly how this man has completely dedicated himself in uplifting and changing the lives of the Manilenos particularly the impoverished.

We do not have to go the distance to take a glimpse at how Lito Atienza served during his tenure as city mayor.We just have to take a closer look at how Manila was and the living conditions of its residents were three years ago. The Atienza administration is best described by the drastic transformation of the lives and welfare of Manila’s poorest residents. Atineza’s pro-poor programs and priority projects have earned him the recognition as one of the most loved and respected leaders in the city’s rich political history.

Lito Atienza has accomplished a lot of things than any other city mayors of Manila, and there is no doubt that he is indeed a true statesman and a dedicated public servant. During his tenure as city mayor; Atienza has significantly transformed and enhanced the
living conditions of the city’s poorest residents.Atienza pushed for the effective delivery of basic services as evident in the programs and priority projects that he started during his term as city mayor. He was able to address and include all of the social needs of his beloved Manilenos in his programs and priority projects including programs for housing, healthcare, peace and order, education, sports, arts and culture, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens.

Atienza has built and launched housing projects and land acquisition programs for the city’s homeless residents. The former Manila mayor also added more financial resources for the city’s public hospitals and health centers, as part of his efforts in improving the city’s healthcare services for its residents. This program has enabled public hospitals to acquire new medical equipment and medicines for improved
healthcare services and to be able to provide free medicines to the city’s impoverished residents.The city of Manila which has gained its recognition as a haven to the most notorious hold-up artists and pickpockets; has had the best peace and order situation under his leadership. During his leadership, the city recorded its lowest crime levels in years due to Atienza’s dedication in ridding the whole city of drug traffickers and syndicates, which he believed as the main roots of all crimes in the city.

Atienza also provided public school students with free education and school. It was also under his leadership that the city’s universities and colleges were enhanced as part of his efforts in providing the city’s residents with an affordable and quality college education. The former mayor of Manila during his stint launched the Manila Youth games, which became beneficial to many of the city’s budding and promising athletes. In addition, to help the city’s talented
youth, Atienza provided free training of children who are talented in the fields of music and dance with the help of Manila’s top dancers and singers. The city’s senior residents have also enjoyed more benefits from the former mayor’s program for the senior citizens which included special services, big discounts and other freebies.

Aside from a better delivery of basic services which has improved the lives of the poor, Atienza has also put the city of Manila back in the tourists’ map and in the list of top tourists’ destinations of the country.Atienza has also prioritized for the beautification and development of the city’s old and deteriorating parks and other tourist attractions.One of the most remarkable projects of the former mayor is the upgrading of the city’s bay area commonly known as the “Baywalk”, which has allowed city residents, as well as local and foreign tourists to take pleasure in alfresco dining and listening to fine music while watching the
world-renowned Manila Bay sunset.It was also during his leadership that the city’s navigation and travel were made better due to the drastic improvements made in the city’s infrastructure.

Former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza is the most eligible man to vote for Manila mayor in this coming election 2010. Atienza deserves to win another term as city mayor due to his outstanding achievements as a public servant and his vast experience and knowledge on being a true statesman who works for the greater good of people. His achievements and countless completed projects and programs are testimonies to his dedication to serving the Manilenos at the best way possible.

-Joel Dumayog