Lim, Lacson pledge friendly competition in election

Sen. Alfredo Lim and Sen. Panfilo Lacson will help each other in next year’s midterm elections even though both of them are gunning for the top post in Manila, Lim said yesterday.

Lim said they did not have any agreement, however, on who will run for Manila mayor as mentioned by Lacson last week in the same forum where the former Manila mayor announced his bid for the post.

"Hindi naman siguro agreement dahil sinabi lang niya na kung sakaling matutuloy ako sa pagtakbo sa mayoralty at siya naman para sa re-election, magtutulungan kaming dalawa (It’s not really an agreement because he was just saying that if ever I will run for the mayoralty and he, for the re-election, we will help each other)," Lim told reporters at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Hotel press forum.

Lim said he had a casual conversation with Lacson three or four weeks ago during a caucus of the Senate minority.

"Tinanong lang kung desidido akong tumakbo, ang sabi ko desidido ako dahil meron akong ipinaglalaban (He just asked me if I’m decided to run, I said I’m decided because I’m fighting for something)," Lim said.

With the two of them from the opposition running in the same post, Lim said it might diminish their chances in the election.

"Maaring mangyayari ‘yan. Wala naman tayong magagawa (That might happen. We cannot do anything)," he said.

Meanwhile, Lim said if ever he wins in the mayoralty race again, one of his priorities will be the construction of two more hospitals and free medicine will also be provided to poor residents.

Lim also said he will bring back his program of free education to public elementary and high school students. He said public school students were now paying at least P120 for their enrollment fee.

When asked to comment on the reported candidacy of former Manila congressman Mark Jimenez, Lim said everybody has the right to serve his constituents.

"May balita na tatakbo. Karapatan naman ng tao. Bakit natin pipigilan? Marami naman natutulungan (I heard news that he will run. It’s his right. Why stop him from running? He has helped many people anyway)," he said.

"Ang huhusga, electorate ng Manila. Bahala na silang kumilatis (Manila’s electorate will be the judge. Let them decide)."