Lim hits ‘Asiong Salonga,’ says Manila not a city of hoodlums

MANILA, Philippines - Manila is not a city of hoodlums like Asiong Salonga, but of heroes, Mayor Alfredo Lim said yesterday.

In his message during the commemoration of revolutionary hero Andres Bonifacio’s 149th birth anniversary, Lim called on parents to guide their children well by avoiding films that glorify gangsters and hoodlums.

“The children might believe that hoodlums should be emulated. We should inculcate in the minds of children to study hard, become professionals, do good. They should follow the example of our heroes, who think of what would be good for the country. That is the essence of this celebration,” he said in his speech at the Bonifacio Shrine beside the city hall.

Lim said that while Tondo also has infamous hoodlums and gangsters like Asiong Salonga, it takes pride in being the home of heroes such as Bonifacio, Gen. Macario Sakay, Emilio Jacinto and Rajah Soliman.

“What saddens me is why a gangster’s life should be the subject of a film. Asiong Salonga was convicted, escaped from city jail, arrested for illegal possession of firearms, robbery with homicide and other crimes… until he was killed over the division of loot. This is the real Asiong Salonga,” he said.

Lim is running for re-election in next year’s polls. His rival, former President Joseph Estrada, portrayed Salonga in a 1961 film.

Ingrate?

Estrada said he is running for mayor to save the city from further decay, owing to Lim’s neglect. He added that Lim reportedly does not know how to value a “debt of gratitude.”

“I helped him when he ran for senator and for mayor. He kept on visiting me even when I was still jailed in Tanay and sought my help for his candidacy,” Estrada said reacting to Lim’s statement that he will not allow “Asiong Salonga,” a hoodlum, to rule over Manila.

Estrada cited a study done by the Department of the Interior and Local Government that Manila was the 35th out of 36 highly urbanized cities in the country.

Estrada and his son, Senate President Pro Tempore and Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino chairman Jinggoy Estrada, administered the oath-taking of six organizations whose members vowed to help Estrada in his campaign.

Comparisons to Bonifacio

Actor Cesar Montano, who recently portrayed Bonifacio in a movie and is currently doing the fourth film based on Lim’s life, said he read a biography on Lim written by National Artist Nick Joaquin and noted similarities between the two men, both Tondo-born.

“We need a leader who is strong and courageous, ready to give his life and I saw that in Lim. That was what we also saw in Bonifacio,” he said in his speech.

Montano said the film, slated to be shown in February 2013, has nothing to do with politics. He said his busy schedule caused the shooting for the movie to start late.

Estrada, on the other hand, compared himself to Bonifacio.

“It was the rich who removed him as Supremo of the revolution. I was also removed as president by the elite. I became president and I was not allowed to finish my term. Bonifacio was not even also allowed to become secretary  and he was also arrested,” Estrada said.

“The miseries that Gat Andres Bonifacio and I have suffered are the same. I was born in Tondo, Gat Andres Bonifacio was also born in Tondo,” he added.