Lim cites track record on first day of campaign

Accomplishments, not promises.

Reelectionist Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim on Monday focused on his flagship “womb to tomb” program, including six city-run hospitals that provide free medical services and two colleges with zero tuition as he kicked off his campaign at the Bonifacio Shrine.

The womb to tomb program provides free services to residents in every phase of their lives—weddings, prenatal checkups, education, hospitalization and burial.

“Anyone can make promises, but the important thing is, what has he done?” Lim earlier told reporters, referring to his closest rival for the city’s mayoral post, former President Joseph Estrada.

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause after President Aquino, who proclaimed Lim and the other candidates, asked: “Why would you want to change your leaders when they are good?”

At the same time, he urged them to support those who would truly serve and those who had already served the city.

Aquino also praised the healthcare and education services being offered by the city government under Lim’s administration as he took note of the city’s 59 barangay (village) health centers, 12 lying-in clinics, 485 daycare centers, 97 new school buildings for elementary and high school and 130 roads that were rehabilitated and upgraded.

The President said he would support Lim’s projects and if there was anything else that needed to be done, “I myself would find a way to make sure it pushes through.”

Aquino also endorsed Lim’s running mate, Councilor Lou Veloso, the candidates for the local council and the representatives of the six districts, Atong Asilo, Carlo Lopez, Naida Angping, Sandy Ocampo, Trisha Bonoan and Faith Maganto.

The President also made a pitch for the Liberal Party senatorial candidates who were there to show their support for Lim. They were Cynthia Villar, Risa Hontiveros, Jamby Madrigal, Koko Pimentel and Jun Magsaysay.

“We give hope to the people,” Veloso earlier told the Inquirer.

“Don’t tell the poor that they can’t do anything about their situation. We should encourage them because that a big percent of success comes from within ourselves. The government helps to alleviate the burden by providing free school and hospital services,” he said.

“If they say that they are the hope of the poor, that’s not true. You don’t become successful because of a candidate,” he said, apparently referring to Estrada.

Both teenagers and elderly people also sang along to “Pusong Bato (Stone-hearted),” which was performed Monday by the original singer, Aileen Torres.

“This is for womanizers! Don’t vote for them,” she said in an apparent dig at Estrada who has admitted having sired several children with different woman.

Lim said Estrada’s battle cry was “Erap para sa mahirap” although he had not done anything for the poor.

“We will continue our honest, clean and dignified service to the people,” he told the crowd.—With TJ Burgonio