Condolences for ex-Mayor Alfredo Lim pour in from Palace, Erap, others

Following the death of former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim, messages of sympathy poured in for the Philippines' "Dirty Harry" — from President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman to former President Joseph "Erap" Estrada.

Lim passed away at 90 years old on Saturday afternoon. Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno in a video message on Saturday night confirmed Lim's death due to COVID-19.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. extended his condolences to Lim's family, friends, and supporters.

"The nation, particularly the City of Manila, remembers Mayor Lim for his tough stance against criminality and drugs. He left a legacy of law and order to his constituents," he said.

"We pray for the repose of his soul as we keep the family of Mayor Lim in our thoughts and prayers during this time of great loss," he added.

In a Facebook post, Estrada praised Lim for his love for the underprivileged, saying his constituents in Manila will never forget him.

"Naging magkatunggali man kami sa pulitika, alam ko na iisa lang ang aming hangarin, ang mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang mahihirap nating mga kababayan, lalo na ang Masang Manilenyo,” Estrada said.

"Hinding-hindi ka malilimutan ng Maynila,” he added.

Estrada defeated Lim in the 1998 presidential elections, but the former would end up appointing the latter as  his Interior secretary.

Moreno also said residents will always remember Lim.

"Hinding hindi ka namin lilimutin. Maraming salamat po sa serbisyo sa aming mga Batang Maynila," he said in a Facebook post.

Senator Lito Lapid also paid tribute to Lim, both of whom won in the 2004 senatorial elections. Lim cut his term short in 2007 to run for mayor, while Lapid completed his term until 2010 and secured another six-year term until 2016. Lapid ran and won again as senator last year.

In his message, Lapid said Lim died from COVID-19.

"Napakalungkot malaman na maging ang isang tapat na naglilingkod sa bayan ay hindi nakaligtas sa sakit na covid 19. Masakit sa aming mga kaibigan ni Fred na sa huling sandali, hindi man lang namin sya madalaw at hindi man lang kami nakapagpaalam ng maayos,” Lapid said in a statement.

"Sa tagal ng panahon na naging Mayor sya ng Maynila, napalapit sya sa mga tao at napahanga nya ang marami kasama na ako, sa kanyang mabilis at matapang na aksyon,” he later added.

Lapid said he would always remember the late mayor as someone strong, well-built, and courageous

"Tangan ko sa aking puso at isip ang lahat ng ating kwentuhan, biruan at mga payo mo para sa akin. Isang saludo para sa Mayor na tunay na nagmahal sa mga Pilipino,” Lapid said.

Senator Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said he has always admired Lim "for being a public servant to the bone."

"He had a clear political vision and, more importantly, the will to get things done. He was a true man of action. Whether he was serving as police officer, senator, cabinet secretary, or Manila mayor, he was consistent in his work toward peace, order, and justice—so much so that we all came to regard him as our very
own Dirty Harry," the senator said in a statement.

"I am sure that the City of Manila feels this loss deeply. He dedicated so much of his life to the city, and did everything in his power to turn his vision of a clean and crimeless Manila into reality. Mayor Lim may be gone, but Manila will always be testament to everything he stood for," he added.

Senator Sonny Angara posted a message on Twitter on Saturday, saying "RIP. I remember back in 04 he was one of a few sens to send relief when our district in Aurora was battered by successive typhoons." —MDM/KG, GMA News