Thursday, March 25, 2010

Alfredo Lim: What Really Happened During EDSA1

Alfredo Lim has been consistently receiving accolades and admiration for the role he played during the famed EDSA 1. The mayor of Manila, who is running for reelection, has been stating false claims and wrong representation to solidify his image as a real EDSA 1 hero.Mayor Lim has enjoyed tremendous success in doing so as evident in the current status of his political career.However, as he successfully builds up his reputation, he also continues to misrepresent the facts.

Recorded events of old Manila watch will tell us exactly the opposite of what Alfredo Lim has been telling us. The mayor of Manila has been furnishing his image for cheap politics at the expense of another great unknown EDSA hero in Col. Jose H. Dawis. Dawis was the Chief of Police of Quezon City during EDSA 1 under the command of the then General Lim. Dawis knew very well how the former general acted during the height of EDSA1. However, his account of Lim's participation in EDSA1 is still untold and misrepresented.

Colonel Dawis knew very well how General Lim acted like a coward during the height of demonstrations and protests.As Commanding General, Lim was not brave enough to confront the angry demonstrators and was cowardly hiding in small Antique shop in P. Tuazon the whole time laden with fear. He was so reluctant and afraid that he passed on the burden of controlling the crowd in EDSA to his personnel. Dawis was ordered by General Lim to disperse the crowd in EDSA at all cost upon the order of order of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Colonel Dawis at that time only had a handful of 100 people under him when he was ordered by General Lim to disperse the crowd of more than 100,000 in EDSA. To help Colonel Dawis' in his job, General Lim has promised him with additional 500 military men to help him in the dispersion of the crowd in EDSA.But Colonel Dawis was disobedient.The brave Colonel stood his ground and told Gen. Lim that he will not disperse the crowd who were just expressing their grievances peacefully.

The defiance of Colonel Dawis has made General Lim irate and angry. He was completely furious with how Colonel Dawis responded and disobeyed his orders. As a response, General Lim started to speak angrily to Colonel Dawis who remained unfazed.Colonel Dawis followed his principles and defied the orders of his superior officer despite the threats of losing his job.

Former Senator Butch Aquino can attest to this claim since he and Colonel Dawis had developed a very good relationship. Colonel Dawis was very considerate and warm to the opposition leaders and would allow them to protest peacefully in Quezon City.

This is a clear suggestion that the accolades and admiration that Alfredo Lim enjoys should be withdrawn from him.Lim should not be bestowed with the recognition as one of the many real heroes of EDSA1 for the fact that he was never one.Lim is confusing the public into believing his false claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero. Colonel Dawis is the real EDSA1 hero and should be given with the necessary accolades and recognition, and not the person who desperately tries to build his self a reputation using nothing but lies.

The mayor of Manila, who is seeking reelection, has been making frivolous claims and false representation to bolster his image as a real EDSA one hero. Mayor Alfredo Lim has been erroneously receiving accolades and admiration and has in many ways succeeded in doing so as evident in the current status of his political career. On the contrary, Lim is using his frivolous claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero, Colonel Dawis.

-Julius Arante

Monday, March 15, 2010

Manila Jueteng Problem: A Never Ending Battle

Illegal gambling has once again become rampant in this poverty-stricken city. The Manila Jueteng Problem still remains and has resurfaced again and evident in the arrests of several people involved in the said illegal form of gambling.Manila mayor Alfredo Lim along MPD director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay have continuously reiterated that they will rid the city of illegal jueteng operators. Instead, there are intelligence reports that illegal jueteng operators are gradually resuming their activities in the city.

The recent arrests of several people are clear indications that the once eradicated Manila Jueteng Problem is still flourishing. One of the main reasons why this illegal gambling problem has resurfaced is that police officers and city officials are involved in this trade. This illegal numbers game is believed to possess the blessing of unscrupulous police and city hall officials. In return for the protection extended, these jueteng guardians are bribed with a portion of the profits generated from this illegal activity.

The inability of the police force to bring these people involved in Jueteng has further aggravated the Manila Jueteng Problem. Many people who are actively participating in this illegal activity were able to avoid arrests due to the influence of higher police officials and city hall personnel including the Mayor of Manila.Moreover, jueteng operators in the city have found a way to evade arresting police officials. Investigations showed jueteng lords in the city operate in a 'kangaroo' style or transfer from one place to another to escape detection.

Jueteng operators in the city have also developed a sense of resiliency in covering up their illegal operations. To avoid and mislead the city's law enforcers, these jueteng collectors act as if they are soliciting bets for the government-sponsored EZ-2 lotto. Jueteng is like EZ-2 which is a legal numbers game launched by the government through the PCSO. Jueteng and EZ-2 are both using a winning two-number combination where bettors place their bets.

The only thing that separates the two is that jueteng is drawn secretly and exists as an underground transaction. It is believed that the winning combination in jueteng is handpicked by the operator. Jueteng operators select combinations with fewer bets to accumulate more profits. Meanwhile, EZ-2 is officially authorized and drawn live on TV.

Unless the city government under Mayor Alfredo Lim and Manila Police Department come clean and admit their involvement in this kind of illegal activity; the Manila Jueteng Problem will still remain unsolved. If Mayor Lim and Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay are serious in eradicating this kind of illegal activity in the city, their action should begin within their ranks.They should be running after the protectors and big time jueteng lords instead of arresting small bet collectors. Moreover, the city government must also look into the bigger picture and address the real cause why this illegal numbers game even exists.

There are many reasons why the Manila jueteng problem has once again resurfaced as apparent in the arrests of several people involved in the said illegal form of gambling. The reported involvement of police and city halls officials in the illegal activity has made it impossible to address this problem. Moreover, the inability of the police force and Mayor of Manila Alfredo Lim to bring those people involved in Jueteng has further aggravated the problem.

-Julius Arante

Alfredo Lim's Darkest Secret Revealed

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim has long been regarded as the city's version of John Wayne, Django Kojak and Dirty Harry. The former Western Police District (WPD) head and former Director of the NBI has been receiving countless accolades and recognition for what he was able to achieve during his stint as police officer. The media has continuously portrayed Lim as a no-nonsense, honest to goodness police officer.Moreover, Lim is now regarded as a hero of Manila and recognized for his courage and devotion to duty for his beloved city.

It is a sad fact that many people have bought these kinds of stories that were created and written by no less than Alfredo Lim himself. Lim was successful in manipulating the media and it has helped him in building an outstanding reputation as a former police officer.Many people were misled into believing that Manila's most outstanding policeman's rise to power is a product of years of dedication and hard work.The true story behind this fancied Manila Mayor and former MPD chief continues to be untold which is part of the reason why he still enjoys popularity and recognition among Manilenos.

Not too many people are acquainted with the dark side of Mayor Lim due to his constant manipulation of the media during his tenure in the MPD.Lim's well-documented exploits and heroics were fictions written by his media friends. With the help of the media sympathetic to him, Alfredo Lim's dark side were successfully covered up and remained buried for many years. Whereas, the true stories about him was exactly the opposite of what has been touted by the media.

There exist untold stories which can enlighten us with the truthful side of this former police chief. Lim's career as a police officer is exactly the opposite of what the media has been writing about him for many years. Alfredo Lim was once a corrupt cop. Lim's stint as a police officer was tainted with reported cases of corruption, utter disregard for the law, abuse of authority and human rights violations including "salvaging," shady deals and a reign of terror, all perpetrated by Lim and his cohorts.

Alfredo Lim was a master of manipulations as revealed by his comrades in uniform. Lim knew very well the many ways of soliciting loyalty and support from his colleagues and subordinates in the police force.He manipulated his subordinates to get their support for his personal gain and promotion. His expertise in manipulation has also helped him in covering up his misdeeds and his affiliation to a number of syndicates and illegal activities. Lim is also known for his reputation as a protector of Manila's drug lords and smugglers.The former MPD chief is affiliated with one of the most powerful drug lords in Manila. Lim has been extending protection to numerous drug lords of the city including his friend Manuel Velasco, the leader of a big drug syndicate at Binondo; and even his nephew, certain Maynard Limcangco Siojo. Aside from illegal drugs, Lim is also involved in protecting big-time smugglers and smuggling syndicates.

Alfredo Lim's success in portraying himself as an outstanding police officer is nothing but a product of his ability to manipulate media. The media has been constantly portraying Lim as a no-nonsense, honest to goodness police officer. The Manila Mayor was successful in hiding all his wrongful acts and misdeed he has done during his stint in as police chief. Meanwhile, the dark side of Mayor Lim continues to be untold and remained uncovered.

-Julius Arante

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim: Manila's Biggest Mistake

The nation's capital which was once recognized as The Pearl of the Orient Seas, suffered from further deterioration and decay under the government of Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.As city mayor, Lim has completely negated all the growth and development gained by the city under the leadership of his predecessor. Since he took helm, the city has experienced severe blows to its dream of becoming a premiere and world class city. Moreover, many Manilenos particularly the impoverished ones, suffered under the city government's incompetence in delivering basic social needs.

The failures of governance in Manila became more apparent than ever as the city degenerates at a faster pace. Just by walking around Manila's streets can give us an idea how the present administration had become insensible and ignorant of the city's needs. It is no wonder why Manila has lagged behind other Asian cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur in all aspects. For a person who loves the city so much, it causes too much pain to accept the fact that the once mighty and lovely city has turned into a complete mess and cesspool. We do not have to go too far on finding who is to blame on the deterioration of our beloved nation's capital. No one is more responsible for the failures of governance in Manila than Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. The present mayor along with his administration failed miserably in running the city as they completely abandoned and negated what was successfully started by their predecessors. Instead of sustaining what was started by the former mayor; Lim started a new policy and form of governance much to the dismay of the already prospering city residents.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and the city's inability to take action during emergency situations and tragedies was apparent during the recent fire that razed the old downtown Manila.The crowded shantytown was completely burned and almost 3,000 families lost their homes. The incident further bared the city government's evacuation and relocation incapability as three thousand families were left struggling on finding a new place for shelter.Instead of taking good care of the fire victims, the city government became too busy in trying to sell the area to a property developer.

Under Alfredo Lim, a former police officer himself, Manila's peace and order situation deteriorated as evident in the recorded levels of crime in the city. The streets of Manila are still filled with some of the most notorious pickpockets and holdup artists.In terms of infrastructure, the city does not have the adequate infrastructure it needs to improve navigation and travel within the city. The city's streets are still filled with all sorts of pollution and traffic flow is chaotic.

The present mayor did not have any housing programs that could have benefited thousands of homeless people inhabiting almost every city street. Mayor Lim also promised to veto the measure that would call for the removal of the oil depot in Pandacan but when the measure was passed, he acted the other way. There was also no available economic plan dedicated on uplifting the lives and providing the poor with employment and livelihood opportunities.Public hospitals of the city are begging for new medical equipment and medical supplies, and there is a lack of medical facilities to which Manilenos could run into when needed. It was also during Lim's tenure that the beautification of Manila was stopped as evident in the now stinking Luneta Park and dimmed Avenida Rizal.Manila is rotting just like its esteros and streets.

Despite all of these failures of governance in Manila, Alfredo Lim is still running for reelection in this forthcoming Manila Election. Lim is again presenting several unseen achievements he made during his tenure as city mayor. As he goes through with his campaign, Lim is again making promises to fulfill, though much of his previous promises were not fulfilled. Let's just hope that the Manilenos can realize what it was like when Alfredo Lim was not their mayor.

No one is more accountable for the failures of governance in Manila more than Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. Manila further deteriorated and decayed under the administration of the present mayor. As city mayor, Lim has completely negated all the growth and development gained by the city under the leadership of his predecessors. The present mayor failed miserably in running the city as he completely abandoned and negated what was successfully started by his predecessors.

-Julius Arante

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Alfredo Lim: A Hero Of EDSA1?

Alfredo Lim has been constantly getting accolades and admiration for the role he played during the famed EDSA 1.The mayor of Manila, who is running for reelection, has been stating false claims and wrong representation to solidify his image as a real EDSA 1 hero.Mayor Lim has in many ways succeeded in doing so as evident in the current status of his political career. However, as he successfully builds up his reputation, he also continues to misrepresent the facts.

Recorded events of old Manila watch will enlighten us with the truth about Alfredo Lim.The mayor of Manila has been building up his image for political purposes at the expense of another great unknown EDSA hero in Col. Jose H. Dawis.Dawis served as the Chief of Police of Quezon City during EDSA 1 under the leadership of the then General Lim. Dawis knew very well how the former general acted during the height of EDSA1. However, his account of Lim's participation in EDSA1 is still untold and misrepresented.

Colonel Dawis knows how General Lim behaved like a coward during the height of demonstrations and protests. As Commanding General, Lim was not bold enough to face the angry demonstrators and was cowardly hiding in small Antique shop in P. Tuazon the whole time laden with fear. He was often unwilling and fearful that he passed on the burden of controlling the crowd in EDSA to his personnel. Dawis remembered that it was General Lim who ordered him to disperse the crowd in EDSA at all cost upon the order of order of then President Ferdinand Marcos.

Colonel Dawis during that time only had a handful of 100 people under his command when he was ordered by General Lim to disperse the crowd of more than 100,000 in EDSA. To help Colonel Dawis, General Lim has promised him with additional 500 military men to help him in the dispersion of the crowd in EDSA. But Colonel Dawis was defiant. The brave Colonel stood his ground and told Gen. Lim that he will not disperse the crowd who were just expressing their grievances peacefully.

The defiance of Colonel Dawis has made General Lim irate and angry. He was angered with how Colonel Dawis responded and disobeyed his orders.As a response, General Lim started to berate Colonel Dawis who remained unmoved. Colonel Dawis followed his principles and defied the orders of his superior officer despite the threats of losing his job.

Former Senator Butch Aquino can prove this claim since he and Colonel Dawis had developed a very good relationship.Colonel Dawis was very considerate and warm to the opposition leaders and would allow them to protest peacefully in Quezon City.

This is a clear sign that the accolades and admiration that Alfredo Lim enjoys should not be extended to him. Lim should not be considered as one of the many real heroes of EDSA1 for the fact that he was never one. Lim is clearly confusing the public into believing his false claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero.Colonel Dawis is the real EDSA1 hero and should be given with the necessary accolades and recognition, and not the person who desperately tries to build his self a reputation using nothing but lies.

Alfredo Lim has been erroneously receiving accolades and admiration for the role he played during the famed EDSA. The mayor of Manila, who is seeking reelection, has been making frivolous claims and false representation to bolster his image as a real EDSA one hero. On the contrary, Lim is using his frivolous claims and misrepresentations of facts at the expense of another great and worthy hero, Colonel Dawis.

-Julius Arante