Lim, Atienza reconcile in bid to topple Estrada; Bagatsing looks for upset win

There are no permanent friends or enemies in politics.

This adage was once again proven in Manila after former mayors Alfredo Lim and Lito Atienza -- bitter rivals in the 2007 and 2010 elections -- buried their hatchet and reunited to derail the reelection bid of deposed president now Mayor Joseph Estrada.

Lim, a legendary police general before joining politics, was mayor of Manila for four non-consecutive terms (1992-2000, 2007-2010). He lost to Estrada in 2010.

Atienza, first nominee of Buhay party-list, was Lim's vice mayor from 1992 to 1998 and became the city's mayor from 1998 to 2007. His son, Ali, lost to Lim in the 2007 elections.

With Estrada's entry into Manila's political landscape in 2010, Atienza opted to take the party-list system's route to Congress. He's eyeing a return to Congress via the same route.

Ali, who opened this year's campaign as running mate of Rep. Amado Bagatsing, was recently adopted as Lim's running mate in an announcement jointly made by the elder Atienza and the former mayor.

Lim, the Liberal Party candidate, dropped his running mate, Rep. Benjamin Asilo, to accomodate the younger Atienza.

“Nagkaroon kami ng diperensya sa pulitika. Naglaban nga kami eh, twice. Hindi dahilan yun para isakripisyo namin yung pagmamahal namin sa Maynila,” Atienza told GMA News reporter Chino Gaston.

“Ang pinaglalaban namin ever since naman, clean and honest governance,” Lim added referring to their initial tandem in the 1992 elections.

Indeed, back in 1992, Atienza -- the Liberal Party's local standard bearer in the 1988 elections -- sacrificed his City Hall ambition by agreeing to slide down as Lim's running mate as they successfully battled the reelectionist tandem of Gemiliano "Mel" Lopez and Danny Lacuna.

The Lim-Atienza tandem ran under the People's Reform Party of Miriam Defensor Santiago whose key platform was to fight graft and corruption in government.

Asilo said he has yet to talk to Lim about the sudden turn of events.

He speculated, however, that it was Lim who initiated the coalition talks with Atienza.

“Siya nag-initiate ng ganoong move. Siya yung may problema hind yung party at yung mga miyembro nito, but he himself alone,” Asilo said referring to the local LP.

Estrada only laughed at the coalition of the two ex-mayors whom he said are allegedly on panic mode.

“Wala na yata talaga silang laban dahil sama-sama na sila eh. Nag-iiwanan na sila, medyo nagpa-panic na sa madaling salita,” Estrada said.

Bagatsing refused to comment until he receives official word from the Ali Atienza's camp.

Infrastructure projects only for show

Lim and Bagatsing accused the Estrada administration of bringing the city down contrary to his campaign promises in 2013.

“Pinanghawakan ni Congressman Bagatsing ang mga pangako ni Mayor Erap na ibabalik niya ang Maynila to its former glory considering he is a former president,” one of Bagatsing's campaign managers who refused to be identified told GMA News Online.

The source said Estrada's supporters took his word when he ran for mayor, but were only disappointed when he decided to allegedly privatize public markets, public hospitals, and sidewalks, on top of increasing local taxes.

“Pati mga sidewalks na-privatize na rin. Ginawa ng business ang sidewalks natin para maging parking hindi na daanan ng tao, especially sa business districts natin,” he said.

“Lahat ito ay pakitang tao lang, iyang mga ipinapakita ngayon ni Mayor Erap,” the source added.

He said Manila increased its business tax by 300 percent, and real property tax by 150 percent.

For his part, Estrada disputed the privatization of public places in Manila, particularly the public markets he unveiled on his birthday on April 19 namely the Sta. Ana and San Andres Public Markets.

“Akala lang nila, the city has full control of the market. It's a joint venture but the city has the control. It's still owned by the city, it's just a joint venture,” Estrada said.

Estrada noted that vendors are protected from the private contractors of the market as increase of rental fees will still be consulted and approved by the local government.

“The (vendors) are protected. We will not allow the vendors to be overcharged,” Estrada said.

Bringing back Manila's glory

Estrada, Lim and Bagatsing said restoring the capital city's former glory as an ideal, safe, and secure hub conducive to residents, tourists, and businesses is essential to mirror a growing country.

During the Thrilla in UP Manila Forum, Bagatsing said he wants to recast the city's traffic plan and designate more one-way streets to keep traffic flowing. He also wanted to activate barangay traffic brigades, and encourage businesses to build parking buildings to decongest road traffic.

“Manila used to be a prime city na kapag sinabing taga-Maynila special ang treatment. Ngayon, pag sinabing taga-Maynila ang sasabihin 'itago mo ang gamit mo,'” the camp of Bagatsing said.

On the other hand, Lim proposed to build a monorail system that connects the city's six districts and build elevated walkways in major intersections.

Lim added he will bring back the shame campaign he rolled out in his first term as mayor. The mayor, who earned the monicker "Dirty Harry" spray-painted houses of suspected drug pushers and drug lords with signs that say "A drug pusher lives here" as he cracked the whip on criminality. He also padlocked bars and massage parlors suspected as prostitution fronts in Malate.

Estrada skipped the UP forum and refused to face his rivals to a debate, saying it's just a waste of time.

He added more infrastructure projects, including the renovation of public places and eight more public markets, are in the planning stage especially is he is given another term.

“Gusto kong iparating sa mga kababayan natin sa Maynila na we are really dead serious in bringing back the old glory of Manila, regardless of what they say,” Estrada said.

New challenger

Bagatsing, whose father, Ramon, was Manila mayor from 1971 to 1986, represented Manila in Congress for over 20 years. He is confident that he could mount an upset and win the mayoral race despite meager resources.

“Totoo naman iyon eh. Walang enough na yaman si (Bagatsing) kung itatapat sa dalawa na talagang national figure. Iyong isa 12 years naging mayor, iyong isa naman naging presidente na,” Bagatsing's campaign manager said. — APG, GMA News