Former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim
MANILA – Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso on Saturday expressed his grief over the passing of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, acknowledging him for the services he gave to the country and to all Manileños.
In an FB live on Saturday evening, Domagoso confirmed the demise of Lim due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). He was 90.
“Si dating Mayor Alfredo Lim ay sumakabilang buhay na po dala ng pagkaka impeksyon niya sa Covid-19 ilang araw na po ang nakararaan ngunit hindi na rin po kinaya ng kaniyang katawan at opisyal na po siyang dineklara na sumakabilang buhay kanina pong alas singko ng hapon. Nakikiramay po kami, maraming salamat po, Mayor Lim, sa paglilingkod niyo sa amin, hinding-hindi namin kayo lilimutin (Former mayor Alfredo Lim succumbed to death due to Covid-19. For several days, he was confined but he was unable to survive. He died around 5 this afternoon. We express deep condolences. Thank you, Mayor Lim, for your services. We will not forget you),” Domagoso said.
The light of the clock tower of the Manila City Hall was turned off as an expression of the city's grief over Lim's passing.
Domagoso said Lim spent most of his life in public service.
For 30 years, Lim served in the Philippine National Police, starting from being a patrolman until he became Manila City's chief of police, and immediately after, assigned as director of the National Bureau of Investigation.
Lim also became secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government from 2000 to 2001 and was elected senator in 2004.
Before that, Lim was elected twice as Manila mayor, in 1992 and was reelected in 1995.
To recall, Lim earned the nickname "Dirty Harry" for his tough anti-crime policies against criminals such as suspected and convicted drug pushers and runners, and against the city's red-light districts.
Domagoso noted the projects and programs that Lim left behind.
“We will not forget him, his services to the city, because until now, we continue to benefit from his programs and projects,” he said in Filipino.
These include the building of four city hospitals in Manila, the Ospital ng Sta. Ana, Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, and the Ospital ng Tondo.
He also helped build the City College of Manila, now Universidad de Manila, to complement the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), which gives free tertiary education to Manila residents up to this day.
Because of the dedicated service and tough leadership of Lim during his term as the city mayor, Domagoso said he was one of the first persons he visited when he won last year.
“Ang katotohanan po niyan noong ako po’y nanalong mayor, siya po ay aking pinuntuhan agad para po humingi ng payo kung paano sugpuin ang kriminalidad sa ating lipunan at paano patitinuin ang mga bahagi ng gobyerno sa ating pamahalaang lungsod (Truth is, when I won as mayor, I immediately went to him and asked for advice on how to curb criminality and how to instill discipline in the city government),” Domagoso said.
Meanwhile, former Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada also expressed his sadness over Lim’s death.
In his Facebook post he said: “Ako po ay nalulungkot sa pagpanaw ng isang magiting na alkalde ng Maynila, Mayor Alfredo Lim. Naging magkatunggali man kami sa pulitika, alam ko na iisa lang ang aming hangarin, ang mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang mahihirap nating mga kababayan, lalo na ang masang Manilenyo. Hinding-hindi ka malilimutan ng Maynila. Rest in peace, Mayor Lim! (I am saddened by the death of a brave leader, Mayor Alfredo Lim. We may be political rivals, but I know that we have the same aspiration, that is to give our poor people a better life. Manila will never forget you. Rest in Peace, Mayor Lim)”.
Meanwhile, for Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Lim has done many things in the country and in the city of Manila. “I especially remember him in giving free education and medical services to the poor of Manila.”
“I condole with the family of Mayor Lim. He has done a lot to serve the country and the city of Manila. May God give him eternal rest,” the Catholic prelate said in a text message.
In the wake of Lim's death, Domagoso reminded everyone anew to take care as Covid-19 may infect anyone.
"If I may look it that way, I think Mayor Lim did service for us to remind us to be careful. Pag-ingatin natin ang ating sarili (let us take care of ourselves)," he said. (with a report from Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
