Lito Atienza Got The Endorsement Of Various Religious Groups

Various religious groups, including the influential Iglesia ni Cristo have endorsed the candidacy of comebacking Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Apart from INC, Atienza is also being supported by Brother Mike Velarde of El Shaddai, Ustadz Ahmad Barcelom of the Manila Muslim community, Parish Councils of Manila as well as the majority of the city’s barangay chairmen, barangay councilors and watchmen and the pro-poor organization People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP).

It is widely known that the Iglesia ni Cristo has a huge following in the city. With the endorsement of the group, Atienza gains another 5 percent solid votes.

Based on the survey conducted last April 29, Atienza gained a 7 percentage lead against his toughest rival, incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim. With the INC votes, it can now be considered that Atienza is 12 percent leading against his opponent.

Meanwhile, El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde earlier said Manila needs a pro-life mayor.

“Lito Atienza is not only pro-life, but also pro-good government,” he added.

According to Msgr. Mel David, one of Atienza’s spiritual advisers, he knows the former Environment secretary too well. “He has a good heart and he is very sincere in wanting to uplift the lives of Manilans. He is pro-God and represents good governance.”

On the other hand, PMAP president Ronald Lumbao said he endorsed the candidacy of Atienza because apart from being a God-fearing person, he believes that the former Environment secretary has a genuine concern to help and improve the plight of the poor.

“His programs answer the needs of the poor community of Manila. He’s very much unlike the incumbent mayor who doesn’t care about the less fortunate,” Lumbao said.

The Muslim community also back Atienza’s candidacy, saying he maintains friendship and communication with them despite the difference in belief and religion.

Meanwhile, 650 out of the 897 barangay chairmen, and most of the barangay kagawads and tanods said that they witnessed how the former and present mayor managed the city. They claimed that they were able to prove that Atienza is the one who has a genuine heart to help the people, especially the poor.

Atienza said he is grateful for all the endorsements. He thanked all those who believe in him and his programs and vowed to do his best to improve the quality of life of the Manilans by creating jobs and provide livelihood and other opportunities for all.

Lito Atienza: A True Statesman And Dedicated Public Servant

Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza without any doubt is the most eligible person to vote for mayor of the nation’s capital in this coming election 2010. The former DENR secretary boasts of having years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record which make him the most eligible person to win the much-coveted seat of the city mayor of this once glamorous and beautiful city. Atienza, the only leader elected for three consecutive three-year mandates, is revered by the entire city for being a true statesman and a father to all Manilenos, and for serving selflessly for the people of the city. One can just take a closer look at the former mayor’s innumerable achievements and
various completed projects during his leadership to be able to see a clear picture of how this man has completely dedicated himself in uplifting and changing the lives of the Manilenos particularly the impoverished.

We do not have to go too far to see how Lito Atienza acted during his stint as city mayor. We just have to take a closer look at how Manila was and the living conditions of its residents were three years ago. The Atienza administration is characterized by the radical development of the lives and welfare of Manila’s poorest residents. Atienza’s pro-poor programs and priority projects have turned him into one of the most loved and respected leaders in the city’s rich political history.

Lito Atienza has accomplished more things than any other city mayors of Manila, and there is no doubt that he is indeed a true statesman and a dedicated public servant.During his tenure as city mayor; Atienza has significantly transformed and
enhanced the living conditions of the city’s poorest residents.Atienza pushed for the effective delivery of basic services as evident in the programs and priority projects that he started during his term as city mayor. He addressed and included all of the social needs of his beloved Manilenos in his programs and priority projects including programs for housing, healthcare, peace and order, education, sports, arts and culture, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens.

Atienza has built and launched housing projects and land acquisition programs for the city’s homeless residents. The former Manila mayor also increased the budget and resources of the city’s public hospitals and health centers, as part of his efforts in improving the city’s healthcare services for its residents.This program has enabled public hospitals to acquire new medical equipment and medicines for
improved healthcare services and to be able to provide free medicines to the city’s impoverished residents.The city of Manila which is renowned for being a haven to the most notorious hold-up artists and pickpockets; has seen and witnessed the best peace and order situation under his leadership.During his tenure, the city was able to record its lowest crime levels in years due to Atienza’s substantial attempt in eradicating the entire city of drug traffickers and syndicates, which he believed as the main roots of all crimes in the city.

Atienza also provided public school students with free education and school. It was also under his leadership that the city’s universities and colleges were enhanced as part of his efforts in providing the city’s residents with an affordable and quality college education. The former mayor of Manila during his leadership has started the Manila Youth games, which has been very helpful to many of the city’s budding and promising
athletes.In addition, in support of the city’s talented youth, Atienza created free training programs for children who are talented in the fields of music and dance with the help of Manila’s top dancers and singers.The city’s senior residents have also enjoyed more benefits from the former mayor’s program for the senior citizens which included special services, big discounts and other freebies.

Aside from the enhanced delivery of basic services which has changed the lives of the poor, Atienza has also out the city of Manila back in the tourists’ map and in the list of top tourists’ destinations of the country. Atienza has pushed forward for the beautification and enhancement of the city’s old and deteriorating parks and other tourist attractions. One of the most remarkable projects of the former mayor is the upgrading of the city’s bay area commonly known as the “Baywalk”, which has allowed city residents, as well as local and foreign tourists to take pleasure
in alfresco dining and listening to fine music while watching the world-renowned Manila Bay sunset.It was also during his administration that the city’s navigation and travel were improved due to the drastic upgrading made in the city’s infrastructure.

Former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza‘s unblemished tenure as city mayor along with his numerous achievements are clear indications that he is the best man to vote for in this coming election 2010. The former Manila mayor deserves to win the mayoralty seat anew due to his outstanding achievements as a public servant and his vast experience and knowledge on being a true statesman who works for the greater good of people.

-Joel Dumayog

Atienza to Lim: My Son Is Not A Drug Addict, Yours Was

Candidates Lim and Atienza had a debate last April 22, 2010 at the Polo Club Mayoral Debate spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Manila. Various social issues were tackled by the competing candidates during the debate. When the discussion went to the issue of drugs, Lim noted his accomplishments against drug trade and use during his tenure as the city mayor. However, Lim’s opponent, Lito Atienza doubted his authenticity due to the fact that Lim’s son was arrested for drug pushing.

It could be recalled that the son of Lim, Manuel Lim was apprehended in 2008 for selling illicit drugs, a nonbailable offense that also carries life imprisonment. Manila mayor Alfredo Lim conceded that his son was arrested by authorities, but claimed that he did not, in anyway, helped his son with his case. In order to divert the issue, Lim pointed the accusation of drug use towards Ali Atienza, the son of his
opponent and a national and international taekwondo competitor. Ali Atienza who was in the audience cried foul and called Lim a liar, saying that how can a national athlete, who competes in international games with strict drug testing procedures, be a drug addict?

Embarassed with his accusation, Lim tried to come out clean by saying that it was former vice mayor Lacuna who said that Ali was a drug addict. Ali then went on the stage and lectured Alfredo Lim about his track record as a national athlete.Lim, at that moment, humiliatingly yield to the fumes of the young Atienza, as the moderators of the debate took control of the situation. Lito Atienza remained calm despite the events and managed to continue the debate.

Manila mayor Alfredo Lim tried his best to redeem himself from the humiliating accusation he dropped; however, the program ended with antagonism in the air. As
hard as he might have tried though, Lim have already left an impression toward the thinking crowd of professional Rotarians. With his mediocre means of campaigning, Lim usually pleases the city’s usual crowd but he must have considered that what he was facing during that time were professional individuals who can be critical about his actions. It is just disheartening to see how this form of unintelligent debate can take place. As the upcoming leaders of the city, the public expects more from these candidates than the senseless words coming from their mouths.

Ali Atienza will not easily let go of Lim’s allegations, stating that he would be filing a libel case against the mayor. The son of Lito Atienza noted that it pained him, as a former athlete, to be accused of being a drug addict. The young Atienza also pointed out that it was really impossible for an athlete to compete if he has been found using illicit drugs, making Lim’s accusations a look more like
fabricated story. He also added that he will push the charges even after the election.

With election 2010 almost near, it has been a normal practice for competing candidates to speak ill against each other. This practice has been around for ages, and has since served as a means to drag their competitors down. However, it should be realized that as public leaders, this practice clearly sends out the message to the voters that what candidates are capable of doing just to be in the position. For the record, the public is now tired of drama, what is important is to walk the talk, and not just to talk and talk.

The son of mayoralty candidate Lito Atienza is planning to press charges against his father’s opponent Alfredo Lim after the current Manila mayor
accused him of being a drug addict. The incident took place during the Mayoralty Debate last April 22, 2010 at the Manila Polo Club. Lim dropped the allegations when the topic of drug abuse was tackled. The young Atienza insisted that he would continue the charges even after election 2010 has ended.

-Joel Dumayog