According to published reports, the younger Lim—then 44 years old and described as a “businessman”—was arrested with two other persons in a hotel in Binondo. Allegedly seized from the suspects were 100 grams of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu, with a street value of around P600,000. Still, Lim insisted that his son “is a user not a dealer.”
MY SON IS NOT A DRUG DEALER
If Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim were a cub reporter and he submitted to his editors a story as tall as the one he blurted out last week, he would have been thrown out of the newsroom—for good.
Halfway through a debate with former Environment Secretary Lito Atienza organized by Rotarians last Thursday, the incumbent lost his cool when asked to respond to a question regarding the worsening drug problem in Manila.
Atienza—who is again running for Manila mayor and reportedly leading in surveys—had earlier reminded the audience that Lim’s son, Manuel a.k.a. Manny, was caught red-handed in a “sting” by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in March 2008.
According to published reports, the younger Lim—then 44 years old and described as a “businessman”—was arrested with two other persons in a hotel in Binondo.
Allegedly seized from the suspects were 100 grams of methamphetamine, locally known as shabu, with a street value of around P600,000.
Still, Lim insisted that his son “is a user not a dealer.”
Lim, who has cultivated a self-image as Manila’s version of “Dirty Harry,” promised he would not intervene in the case and even congratulated PDEA officials for doing their job.
The case against Manny Lim, however, was provisionally dismissed by a Manila Regional Trial Court judge about five months after his arrest on a motion filed by lawyer Reynaldo Bagatsing.
According to city hall watchers, it was Lim who had asked Bagatsing to represent his son in the drug case and work for his release.
Ironically, Bagatsing is now pursuing several complaints against Lim for, among others, the allegedly irregular sale of a piece of prime real estate owned by the City of Manila.
But that’s another story—or is it?
Although the court’s ruling on Manuel Lim’s case mentioned a “provisional dismissal,” the criminal complaint has not been reopened—and perhaps never will since the incumbent mayor’s son was last reported to have fled abroad.
Stung to the quick at last Thursday’s debate by the reminder of what must be one of the most embarrassing episodes of his public life, Lim answered back that Atienza, too, had a son who is a drug user.
When asked by the Rotarians who he was referring to, Lim pointed an accusing finger in the direction of Arnold Atienza, better known as Ali, who—along with other members of the Buhayin ang Maynila party—were also watching the debate.
To their credit, the Atienzas maintained their composure.
In a well modulated voice, the former DENR secretary asked Lim where he got his information about Ali’s alleged drug use.
“Go ask Danny Lacuna,” retorted Lim, referring to a former vice mayor and another political opponent of the Atienzas’ who—conveniently enough—was not around to either confirm or deny the serious allegation against Ali.
In his bid to counter the humiliating reminder of his own son’s drug case, Lim disgraced himself further by besmirching the reputation of Ali Atienza.
Aside from being the younger of Atienza’s two sons, Ali had run for Manila mayor in 2007 against Lim.
Unlike many other unsuccessful candidates, Ali graciously accepted the loss—showing maturity beyond his years. No doubt, upbringing had a lot to do with his gracious gesture.
Ali’s online resumé is in stark contrast to Manny Lim’s well-documented brushes with the law.
Born on September 29, 1972, Ali first earned public notice in 1994 when, at age 21, he won a gold medal for the tae kwon do national team.
That same year, Ali earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from De La Salle University, with specialization in Computer Applications. He subsequently earned a Master’s degree in Government Management from the city-run Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
In 2001, he chaired the Manila Sports Council, which hosted the Manila Youth Games, the MY National Invitational and Manila Marathons.
In 2005, Ali was appointed as Presidential Adviser on Youth Affairs—a post he kept until he ran for mayor in 2007.
After last Thursday’s debate, to which he was unceremoniously dragged by his father’s political opponent, the well-built younger Atienza told reporters: “There was never a time I took or even attempted to use drugs. How could that be when I have devoted myself to sports. I have been an athlete all my life.”
In a recent column, sportswriter Beth Celis of the Philippine Daily Inquirer wrote: “To date, Ali has remained a practicing jin, teaching children the sport that gave him fulfillment. He has dedicated more than half his life to tae kwon do, where drug-taking is strictly taboo.”
Throughout the debate, the Atienzas looked more amused than indignant over Lim’s outrageous accusation against Ali. Nevertheless, an injustice has been committed against an innocent young man and his family—and rectification is due.
The day after Lim’s dreadful performance, Ali Atienza filed a libel complaint before the Makati Prosecutor’s Office against Lim. Among other evidence, he is reportedly offering a video recording of the incident as well as several eyewitness testimonies.
Why Makati? The debate organized by the Rotarians was held at the Manila Polo Club in Forbes Park.
“If he doesn’t have anything to besmirch my father’s name, he should not concoct tales like having a drug user in our family,” Ali told reporters. “Mr. Lim should instead face reality that his son is the one using drugs.”
Lim, a guest candidate of Noynoy Aquino’s Liberal Party, was apparently in such bad way last Thursday that at one point he encouraged his audience to vote for “Senator Ninoy (sic) Aquino.”
All in all, it was an inelegant day—to say the least—for Hizzoner. BY DAN MARIANO
