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Sen. Alfredo Lim, who is a proclamation short of winning his bid to become Manila’s next mayor, said yesterday that he will revive his controversial “shame campaign” against drug pushers when he assumes office.

“That’s the only way we could get rid of these drug pushers,” Lim told reporters covering the national canvassing by the Commission on Elections at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Lim went to the Comelec to inquire if he could already be proclaimed as newly elected mayor of Manila although canvassing is still underway since his closest rival, Ali Atienza, had already conceded defeat.

Known as the “Dirty Harry,” Lim had implemented the shame campaign by spray-painting the houses of drug pushers in the community. He believed that through this strategy, the pushers would stop their illicit activities.

Lim said during his term, an ordinance had been passed, authorizing the mayor of Manila to enforce the “shame campaign.” Lim became a Manila mayor in the late 90’s but ran and won as senator in 2004.

He still has three years left in his term as senator so his victory as mayor of Manila means that a seat in the Senate will be made vacant.

According to Lim, he intends to continue the programs of outgoing Mayor Lito Atienza that are beneficial to city residents.

“If the programs are okay, why should I not continue them? I believe in continuity of programs,” he added.     – Sheila Crisostomo