Lim-Bagatsing in 2001?

Talk is, the time is ripe for Interior and Local Government Sec. Alfredo Lim to run under the administration party in the 2001 Manila mayoralty elections, with a member of the Bagatsing clan representing the Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP), as running mate.

Sources revealed that LAMP is wooing Lim to run under the party if his plans to reclaim the city’s top executive position push through, especially now that his bolting the Liberal party appears imminent.

"Lim will not run (as a) Liberal because he has a feud with (current Manila Mayor Lito) Atienza, especially now that Atienza is the Liberal Party head in Manila and is a top party official at the national level," said The STAR source privy to the negotiations.

Atienza was Lim’s vice mayor before the cabinet secretary ran and lost in the 1998 presidential elections. Atienza, on the other hand, ran for Manila mayor and won with Lim’s endorsement.

The two Liberal party members soon had a falling out.

The source, however, did not reveal what came out in the talks but said discussions on Lim’s political plans are still ongoing. Lim in an earlier interview refused to comment on his plans.

"There is still so much work to do. This is not the time for that," said Lim.

But sources revealed that with the Commission on Elections moving the filing of certificates of candidacy three months earlier, Lim will have to decide earlier than expected.

Aside from Atienza and Lim, also expected to join the Manila mayoralty race is former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who this early has started establishing herself in Manila, giving her address in her court pleadings as "Pandacan, Manila."

Particularly heading the talks with Lim in behalf of LAMP, is defeated 1998 LAMP senatorial candidate Ramon Bagatsing, who is himself planning to make a comeback as representative of Manila’s fourth district, where he had served three consecutive terms.

"If Lim accepts the offer, he will be in the same ticket as Bagatsing," said the source.

The Bagatsings were once among Lim’s main political rivals. For the national and local elections next year LAMP is also wooing the Lakas opposition party’s Sen. Juan Flavier. - Jose Aravilla