Former Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim succumbed to the coronavirus at 4.30pm on 8 August 2020. He was 90 years old. Lim’s passing was confirmed by daughter Cynthia Lim as well as with an announcement made by his chief of staff Ric de Guzman.
Spokesperson of Philippine President Harry Roque said in a statement, “The nation, particularly the City of Manila, remembers Mayor Lim for his tough stance against criminality and drugs.”
Former Philippine President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada also honoured Lim, his opponent in the 1998 presidential elections and the 2013 local government elections. On his Facebook page, Estrada stated that he is saddened with the passing of Lim, and despite being political contenders, they shared a common goal to give the poor, especially the poor Manilenyo, a good life.
In a video released by the Manila Information Office, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno paid tribute to Lim by extolling his effective and upright leadership. During his term as Mayor, Lim, who was hailed as ‘Dirty Harry’ for his tough stance on criminals, institutions such as Sta Ana Hospital, the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Hospital as well as the Unibersidad ng Maynila were established. To this day, according to Moreno, Manilenyos (or batang Maynila as he calls Manila residents) still benefit from these programs.
To honour the late Mayor, the clock tower light was turned off ‘to give a person who has served the city due importance,’ Moreno further said on his video. He also encouraged the public to pray for the repose of Lim’s soul.
Lim served government in different elected positions such as Manila Mayor from 1992 to 1998 and from 2007 to 2013. He also won a senatorial seat in 2004. He was appointed Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government in 2000 by President Estrada and held the post till 2001.
Prior to these positions, he also became Director of the National Bureau of Investigation. He was a Superintendent of the Philippine National Police Academy and Director of the Western Police District. He retired with the title Major General.
