‘Hardworking public servant’: Senators mourn death of Gen Danny Lim

MANILA, Philippines — Senators extended their condolences as they mourned the death of Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairperson Danilo Lim at the age of 65.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III remembered Lim as a “very worthy noble brother.”

“He will create a vacuum in the corridors of noblemen. I am just consoled that he will now rest with the Great Architect Of The Universe!” Sotto said in a statement.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said Lim was a “hardworking” public servant and a distinguished soldier.

“Gen. Danny Lim was a distinguished soldier at the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Phil Army and was the Commanding General of the First Scout Ranger Regiment, a major unit of SOCOM,” Zubiri said in a statement.

“He served his country well both in protecting our people from external and internal threats as well as a low-key hard-working Bureaucrat in Government serving the needs of the people of Metro Manila,” he added.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros said she was “fortunate enough to have fought beside Gen. Danny in many battles in Philippine politics.”

“My deepest condolences to the loved ones of MMDA Chair & retired BGen Danny Lim. His energy and life-long dedication is an inspiration to all officers and civil servants,” Hontiveros said in a tweet.

“He was a brave soldier, who was admired for his great love of country,” she added.

For Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Lim had led the MMDA “with wisdom and foresight, despite all the traffic and transport challenges,” as the retired military general worked in the frontlines amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“His contributions [to] implementing COVID-19 related policies and rules cannot be disregarded. He also served as Deputy Customs Commissioner for intelligence under the term of President Noynoy Aquino. Chairman Lim’s passing is a great loss to public service,” Gatchalian said.

Former senator JV Ejercito likewise mourned Lim’s death and called the MMDA official “a true and idealistic officer and a gentleman.”

In confirming Lim’s passing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said “Lim served the Duterte Administration with professionalism, competence, and integrity.”

Last December 29, Lim himself confirmed contracting COVID-19.

Lim was also a West Point graduate, one of the only a few who served in the Philippine military with a West Point degree.

KGA