Atienza: Record Breaker

ATIENZA: RECORD BREAKER

The only mayor reelected twice thus completing a full term as the City Chief Executive,
Garnered the highest number of votes earned for mayoralty, in the history of Manila.
The first and only vice mayor (for 2 consecutive terms) to be elected as Mayor of Manila.

Political Milestones

Lito Atienza - A Man of Courage

Atienza started his political career in 1968 when he organized the Democratic Youth Movement (DEYMO). He was one of those who survived the Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971 during the Liberal Party’s Meeting de Avance.
During Martial Law, he was arrested twice for exposing human rights abuses at that time, one of which is the attempt to phase out jeepneys in Metro Manila in line with the beautification project of Imelda Marcos. He organized the Metro Manila Jeepney Drivers Organization, which was the first ever organization of Jeepney Drivers.
He became a Barangay Captain for 10 years (he was a tanod before this), despite the notion of being in government makes you a follower of the dictator and allows him to control the grass roots. He still condemned the Marcos government in any way he can because with this opportunity he was able to really be at sync with the everydaypulse of the people.
He resigned from his post at the Information Office of Manila City Hall under the mayorship of Ramon Bagatsing because of his principles already were conflicting with his work.
He decided to run for the Parliament but he did not have enough money for the campaign. With God’s will, good friends and principles, he was able to gather support form people he did not even know. The assistance from so many people – be it logistical, financial and moral – was so overwhelming. He fed all his volunteers with the famous breakfast for Filipinos – pandesal. He used the bread also to describe the Marcos administration because it has started to become smaller in size as time goes by. Atienza said that the people’s trust in the government went smaller each day – simultaneously with the size of pandesal.
NHA GM Atienza during a meeting with staff on effective implementation of low-cost housing projects
Atienza was first elected as Member of Parliament in the thenat-large Congressional District of Manila (then encompassing the districts of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres Bukid, Sta. Ana, Santa Mesa districts) under the Batasang Pambansa in 1984 andserved until Marcos was peacefully ousted during the People Power Revolution of 1986. He was among the many who grieved for the death of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and his good friend Antique Gov. Evelio Javier. He also was one of the opposition leaders who encouraged Cory Aquino to run for presidency.
Under the administration of President Corazon Aquino, Atienza was appointed General Manager of the National Housing Authority in 1988 and he promoted low-cost housing for teachers and policemen.
Vice Mayor Atienza attends to the mendicants/ settlers near the Breakwaters, who were victims of typhoon.
He decided to resign from his post in NHA and run for Mayoralty in Manila in 1988, where his rival Mel Lopez was able to get the endorsement of then President Cory Aquino. He lost but was not unnerved.
Atienza ran as vice-mayor in Manila 1992 and won a secondterm in 1995. He made history by being the only Vice Mayor who got elected for mayorship in 1998.
His greatest achievement was his aggressive stand of not allowing the Manila’s part of Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay be reclaimed. Fond memories of his childhood, made him push harder on not blocking the Manilenos luxury of being able to witness and experience God’s miracles of sunrise and sunset. He did not go wrong. He took his oath of office on June 24, 1998, coinciding with the 427th founding anniversary of the City of Manila. Atienza was again re-elected in 2001 and finally on 2004.