House Deputy Speaker and Antique lone District Rep. Loren Legarda has described as “a great loss to the nation” the passing of former Senator and Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.
The former senator extended her condolences to the family of Lim whom he described as a “man of action.”
“His passing is a great loss to the nation. I once again offer my condolences to the family, friends, and supporters of Manong Fred. He will always be remembered, especially by the people of the City of Manila who had been blessed to have a tough and fearless leader in Manong Fred,” Legarda said in a statement.
Lim passed away on August 8 due to complications brought about by COVID-19. He was 90.
“Manong Fred was a dear friend whom I got to know better when we campaigned together in 2004. I was running for Vice President, while he ran for the Senate. It was a tough and grueling campaign, but Manong Fred’s amiable presence was a welcome breather, especially when he and I would go together and visit select localities around the country,” Legarda said.
She cited Lim’s commitment to public service, including his unwavering fight against criminality and corruption.
“I never got to work with Manong Fred in the Senate but I knew that his passion for public service never waned, even when he expressed frustration about how slow the legislative process worked. Whether as a presidential aspirant, as Senator, or as Mayor, he always stood for very important causes with great conviction such as public order and safety, anti-corruption, and good governance. He was a go-getter, an action man, which was why his decision to cut short his Senate term came as no surprise so he could better serve the city and the people of Manila,” Legarda said.
The House leader also recalled how the former Mayor readily extended support to her environmental advocacy group, Luntiang Pilipinas.
"During his incumbency as Mayor, we undertook several activities to raise environmental awareness and to encourage the residents of Manila to strictly follow environment-related laws and regulations,” she said.
Lim, who started his government career as a patrolman at the Integrated National Police, served as Manila City mayor from 1992 to 1998, and was given another mandate from 2007 to 2013.
During the administration of the late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, Lim was director of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). He was also appointed as secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) during the Estrada administration.
Read more: Ex-Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim passes away