Communications Secretary Martin Andanar lamented the passing of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, saying "Dirty Harry" will be remembered for his dedication to serving the public.

Andanar made the statement after Manila Mayor Isko Moreno confirmed that Lim passed away at the age of 90 on August 8. Moreno previously announced that Lim had contracted COVID-19.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim who passed away at the age of 90," he said.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We pray for the eternal repose of the soul of Mayor Lim," he added.

Andanar remembered Lim for his dedication to public order and public service.

"Aside from serving as the local chief executive of our country's capital, Mayor Lim’s dynamic political career includes serving as the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and as a senator," he said.

"He will be remembered for his dedication to public order and his long years of public service, particularly by the Manileños, for whom he had served as mayor, first from 1992 to 1998, and again from 2007 to 2013," he added.

Malacañang has already expressed its condolences to the family, friends, loved ones, and supporters of the former mayor and said his legacy would be his efforts to curb illegal drugs and criminality.

"The nation, particularly the City of Manila, remembers Mayor Lim for his tough stance against criminality and drugs," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said.

"He left a legacy of law and order to his constituents," he added.

Lim, who retired from the police force as Major General, was a Superintendent of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Academy and the director of the Western Police District.

He served as director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) before he was elected as mayor of Manila in 1992 and was reelected in 1995. He ran for President in 1998 but lost to Joseph Estrada.

Lim was appointed as Interior Secretary from 2000 to 2001 and was voted Senator in 2004.

After his senate stint, Lim was again elected as Mayor of Manila and served from 2007 to 2013. He ran for the same post in 2019 but lost the post to Moreno.