Lim eyes return as Manila mayor

MANILA, Philippines — Former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday vowed to conduct a more active campaign against illegal drugs and restore wide-ranging free “womb to tomb” services in Manila should he return as mayor in 2019.

Lim made the promise on the sidelines of the mass oath-taking of over 5,000 members of his Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Katarungan (KKK) political party before PDP-Laban national president and former Senate president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, according to a statement sent to The STAR.

He also thanked supporters who attended the oath-taking, among them Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald dela Rosa; Local Government Undersecretary Martin Diño; Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario; PDP-Laban Manila Council president Penelope Belmonte, who is also executive director of the National Parks Development Committee; PDP-Laban Manila vice president for NCR Salvador Ty; Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu and PDP-Laban public information officer Ron Munsayac.

Lim also called on his supporters to do everything within their means to help the administration of President  Duterte succeed.             
Apart from having the same advocacies such as clean governance, Lim and Pimentel both expressed confidence that the KKK and PDP-Laban are one in the desire to give all the free services possible for the citizens of Manila.  

Lim is noted for having introduced six city hospitals in each of Manila’s six districts, all providing free services, and the establishment of free college education when he built the City College of Manila (now Universidad de Manila).

Meanwhile, Lim rallied support behind the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and corruption. He said instead of criticizing, people should make little steps to help.

Lim also reiterated his belief that “if the Philippines had 20 Mayor Dutertes, the country would progress.”

“I believe President Duterte is sincere in ridding the government of corruption and to end the illegal drug trade… With the kind of criminals and the hardheadedness of people nowadays, an iron fist is needed to put our country in order,” he said in Filipino.

Lim said he is one with Duterte and that his service record will speak for itself.