Lim, Moreno win re-election bids

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officially proclaimed yesterday afternoon re-electionists Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and his running mate, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno in the country’s first national automated elections.

Lim, who ran for a second term after staging a comeback in 2007, won by a landslide over his arch rival, former environment secretary Lito Atienza.

Lim garnered 395,910 votes, or a 214,816 vote-lead, over Atienza who got 181,094 votes.

A third mayoral candidate, former Malacanang peace adviser and Philippine National Police (PNP) director Avelino Razon conceded defeat before midnight Tuesday prior to Lim’s proclamation. Razon got 84,605 votes, based on the official Comelec count.

For the vice mayoral race, Moreno got 498,609 votes as against the 119,380 votes obtained by closest rival, Councilor Ma. Lourdes Isip-Garcia.

During an interview by reporters at the Hyatt Hotel, while waiting for the proclamation, Lim assured to continue his platform of government and programs to address all the concerns of Manileños.

Lim said his re-election would mean the continuation of his unfinished projects for the city to improve the living conditions of his constituents.

Among Lim’s priorities are the free elementary, high school and college education, free treatments in the city’s public hospitals, as well as the improvement of the hospitals’ conditions.

“We would just like to continue our programs including the giving of free medical assistance to all Manileños. We also have to strengthen the free college education, the zero tuition,” said Lim.

Lim also bared his plan of putting up a city transport system that is 50 percent lower than the regular fare in public utility vehicles. For a start, he said the city government will purchase 10 air-conditioned buses to be manned by drivers and conductors hired by the city.

Lim also disclosed his plan to put up a 20-storey condominium housing with elevators. He said the city will charge a very minimal monthly rental, perhaps, P700 a month. “Then after 25 years, the residents will own the property,” he said.