Alfredo Lim

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Alfredo Lim bigraphy, stories - Filipino politician

Alfredo Lim : biography

December 21, 1929 –

Alfredo Siojo Lim (Hanzi: 林雯洛, pinyin: Lín Wénluò; 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.

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

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.. The Australian News. March 17, 2008. 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. But perceptions of disloyalty to former President Estrada, whom he served as DILG Secretary from 2000 to 2001, arose when proceeded to EDSA in support of the break-away group of then Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Angelo Reyes. This weakened his candidacy and 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 modifiying 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. 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.