Lito Atienza 2010: Manila Needs Her Mayor Back

The Manila Elections has become more exciting and captivating as a lot of political heavyweights have thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the all powerful Mayor of Manila. Among these political bigwigs who joined the mayoralty competition for the city is former Mayor of Manila and DENR Secretary Lito Atienza and his Lito Atienza 2010 platform. Under his banner Lito Atienza 2010, the former Mayor of Manila is staging a comeback bid at the mayoralty seat after serving a full term as City Mayor and a brief stint as DENR secretary.

The former Mayor of Manila who owns the record as the only mayor who has served a full term, is one of the most revered leaders in the city’s rich political history. Atienza boasts of having years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record which makes him one of the probable frontrunners in this coming Manila Elections. His resume can present volumes of achievements and innumerable completed projects that have benefited the city residents particularly those who are impoverished. His political career which has lasted for more than four decades now is a clear indication on how the former Mayor of Manila has lived his life as a statesman, serving selflessly for the people.

Atienza got involved with politics early in 1968 as the leader of Democratic Youth Movement, (DEYMO) wherein he became one of those who survived the infamous Plaza Miranda bombing during the Liberal Party’s political rally in 1971.Since then, the former Mayor of Manila had been a vocal critic of the Marcos administration. During the Martial Law, Atienza was jailed for his role as the leader of Metro Manila Jeepney Drivers Organization, which was the first ever organization of Jeepney Drivers. Atienza fought against and exposed several human abuses of the Marcos regime including the proposed eradication of jeepneys plying the avenues of Metro Manila as part of Imelda Marcos’ beautification drive.

Despite voicing his displeasure with the Marcos administration, Atienza was elected as Barangay Captain for ten years after serving as a tanod before which enabled him to hear the voices of ordinary people more. The former Mayor of Manila later served at the Information Office of Manila City Hall under former mayor Ramon Bagatsing and later resigned due to conflict of principles and his work. Atienza would later continue his political career as he seeked for a Parliamentary seat despite having no financial support at all.Instead, Atienza relied on his principles and support from his family and friends which were enough to win him a seat in the Parliament at that time.

His profession as Parliamentary member of the Batasang Pambansa began in 1984, representing the then large Congressional District of Manila which include the districts of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres Bukid, Sta. Ana, Santa Mesa.He was known as an ally of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the opposition stalwarts who convinced Cory Aquino to run for president. After Marcos was deposed during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the former Mayor of Manila was selected to organize the National Housing Authority where he promoted affordable housing for teachers and policemen. After a brief tenure as the NHA General Manger, Atienza decided to join the 1988 mayoralty race of Manila where he lost to his then rival Mel Lopez who was supported by President Aquino. Despite the loss, his spirit and will to serve was never died as he would decide to run and win as Vice-Mayor in 1992 and 1995.

In 1998 Manila Elections, Atienza finally won mayoralty seat and placed his name in history as the only Vice Mayor who got elected as city mayor As the Mayor of Manila. Atienza was popularly known for expressing his strong opposition in the reclamation of the city’s part of Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay. The former Mayor of Manila was also had tremendous success in transforming and beautifying much of entire city’s decaying tourist attractions along with the lives and welfare of the city folks. Atienza also launched major projects which were aimed to benefit the poor, the older citizens, women and children.

After completing a full term as Manila Mayor, Atienza would later serve as the DENR secretary under President Arroyo. As DENR secretary, Atienza started massive effort to execute the ill- executed Clean Air Act. Atienza also ventured on breathing a new life to the country’s rivers and lakes, as he worked closely with several environment groups including the Laguna Lake Development Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan.He went after illegal logging operations in the countryside and has also closed open dumpsites as part of his drive in protecting our country’s natural resources.

The Manila Elections is vital since the winner would hold power to the nation’s capital. Former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza deserves to win another term as city mayor due to his outstanding achievements as a public servant and his vast experience and knowledge on being a true statesman who works for the greater good of people. Under his Lito Atienza 2010 banner, Atienza is the most competent and well-loved leaders of the city which makes him a formidable mayoralty bet.

- Joel Dumayog

 

In the forthcoming Manila elections, a nominee with supreme pro life advocacy has indicated his desire to lead Manila to a new beginning. Lito Atienza for Manila mayor is a slogan which represents a proper chapter to the vast history of Manila. His base in Philippine politics is a soaring one, and this he shares with his family background. In the upcoming Manila elections, it would be hard to go against this man.

Lito Atienza is a god-fearing Roman Catholic, who’s also President of Pro-Life Philippines. Collectively with his spouse, this candidate for the Manila elections acquired international prominence in Rome as an official delegate in the Pontifical Council for the Family. He was honored with a standing ovation for emphasizing that the Philippines has the highest percentage of citizenry who values life, family and the elderly. Lito Atienza for Manila mayor thinks of pro-life measures in our society.

Even during his previous tenure in Philippine politics in the City of Manila, he opposed all forms of contraception or abortion or sex education programs. Lito Atienza for Manila mayor would intend for an establishment that will be utterly pro-life from top to bottom. We had better vote for this man during the Manila elections if we fight abortion or those who are contrary to natural conception. The state of Philippine politics would for sure need a spiritual leader who has values such as him.

To bolster up the Lito for Atienza for Manila mayor credentials, he constituted Rachel’s Support Group, a group of volunteers who bore post abortion syndrome. This group of this astonishing nominee for the Manila elections held counseling to women contemplating abortion and aimed at discouraging them from doing so. Because of his drives in Philipine politics, thousands of women represented given the right perspective and thousands of babies were saved. These are but few of the reasons why Lito Atienza for Manila mayor should be a battle cry.

Lito Atienza for certain belongs to the old guard tradition of Philippine politics. But he belongs to the good side of this vein of the political population. He has a strong educational background, with kin who are responsible public servants like himself. Apart from this, he has the core values of pro-life rationales which establishes him a virtuously upright potential mayor.

Come ballot day, these achievements of Lito Atienza are placed at the forefront of our consciousness. We have a potential mayor who is pro-life, who is socially conscious, and who is helpful. We have a potential mayor who grew up in the city, and whose grandest ambition is to make it great. If you are a member of the electorate of the City of Manila, the most logical thing is to go for this man.

Lito Atienza for Manila Mayor? There would be no finer choice for mayor during this upcoming Manila Elections. Philipipne politics has had its fair share of top caliber public servants and Lito Atienza is one of them. He is a pro life advocate and even grew up in the city. It is his dream aspiration to lead to city to the promised land of greatness where it previously stood on a pedestal before.

- Joel Dumayog

 

Lito Atienza – Champion Of Neglected Children

Lito Atienza is presently a part of the list of nominees who will enter in the elections for Manila mayor. These Manila elections, yet once more, would be a trial of the aptitude of the discernment of the electorate to pick a candidate who is worthy of the demanding needs of the colorful city. In terms of qualifications, maybe there is no one else who conforms to the post more other than Lito Atienza. And among those who will vie for mayor in the Manila elections, no one probably has helped more.

In 1992, just as a Vice-Mayor, Lito Atienza constituted with his wife Beng the “Home for the Angels,” a child care center for abandoned and abused infants. He created this out of his absolute belief that nobody should feel unwanted. He also acknowledges that a few considerations could forcefully separate a parent from his child and this is why he created this shelter for them. The center furnishes sustenance and all the love which these children could ever need.

This center is the image of the good heart of Lito Atienza. This is what voters should be aware of during the Manila elections. To a certain sense, we are all kids of the city, calling for someone like Lito Atienza to guide us in a city in which himself saw burnt to ashes and which he wants to see rise again to elusive prominence. Such efforts should not be blanked out and should be at the centerpiece during the elections for Manila Mayor.

It would be morally upright if voters on the elections for Manila mayor would pick someone who was vocally versus abortion. The stance of Lito Atienza as one of the fathers of Home for the Angels has consistently been that abortion is the ultimate child abuse and must be stopped at all costs. The Home of the Angels is a center meant to be action oriented and serves as the back up solution to anti-life challenges. It is a concrete symbol and reservoir of hope at the same sentence for a lot of people.

During these Manila elections, let us not forget that the Home for the Angels has been a consistent crisis home for abortion survivors and has helped many neglected, abused and exploited infants ever since it was founded fourteen years ago. It has assisted many victims and potential victims have a new set of lives and all of these is due to the kind heart of Lito Atienza. The elections for Manila mayor would certainly be a half-baked race if it did not include an option such as him. The post of Manila mayor is a position of action coupled with great promises.

A total of 301 babies were served and admitted for case management and crisis intervention from year 1996 to the present and a total of 4,371 men, women and teenagers were assisted and referred through crisis intervention by phone and walk-in referrals from 2006 to the present in the center. A total of 356 students and private individuals were attended to and furnished with Respect for Life Orientation while a total of 314 children ages 0-6 years old for Early childhood care and Development were served in alternative Day Care services through the Learn and Play Outreach Program. These are deeds of a man who certainly deserve to win in the Manila elections. In the elections for Manila Mayor, these are deeds of a man that had better be up there when we apply our discernment.

Lito Atienza is one of the most upright citizens of our country. It is with such great enthusiasm that the electorate welcomes him for the Manila elections. During these elections for Manila mayor, his deeds of heroism towards our society’s forgotten individuals will not be forgotten. The Home For The Angels is an establishment which he founded in order to share his vision that no individual should be deprived of care and love.

- Joel Dumayog

 

Lito Atienza – Saving Abandoned Children

Lito Atienza is currently a part of the list of prospects who will participate in the elections for Manila mayor. These Manila elections, yet once more, would be a trial of the aptitude of the discernment of the electorate to pick a candidate who is worthy of the demanding needs of the colorful city. In terms of qualifications, maybe there is no one else who conforms to the post more other than Lito Atienza. And among those who will contend for mayor in the Manila elections, no one probably has assisted more.

In 1992, even as a Vice-Mayor, Lito Atienza established with his wife Beng the “Home for the Angels,” a child care center for abandoned and abused infants. He created this out of his absolute belief that nobody should feel unwanted. He also acknowledges that a few considerations could forcefully separate a parent from his child and this is why he created this shelter for them. The center allows for nutrition and all the love which these children could ever need.

This center is the paradigm of the good heart of Lito Atienza. This is what voters should be mindful of on the Manila elections. To a certain sense, we are all youngsters of the city, needing somebody like Lito Atienza to conduct us in a city in which himself saw burnt to ashes and which he wants to see rise again to elusive prominence. Such deeds should not be forgotten and should be at the centerpiece during the elections for Manila Mayor.

It would be morally straight if electors during the elections for Manila mayor would pick someone who was vocally against abortion. The position of Lito Atienza as one of the beginners of Home for the Angels has consistently been that abortion is the ultimate child abuse and must be stopped at all costs. The Home of the Angels is a center signified to be action pointed and serves as the accompaniment solution to anti-life challenges. It is a concrete symbol and source of hope at the same time for many people.

During these Manila elections, let us not forget that the Home for the Angels has been a uniform crisis home for abortion survivors and has assisted many neglected, abused and exploited infants ever since it was founded fourteen years ago. It has helped many victims and potential victims have a new set of lives and all of these is due to the kind heart of Lito Atienza. The elections for Manila mayor would surely be a half-baked race if it did not let in a choice such as him. The post of Manila mayor is a position of action conjugated with great hopes.

A total of 301 babies were assisted and accepted for case management and crisis intervention from year 1996 to the present and a total of 4,371 men, women and teenagers were assisted and referred through crisis intervention by phone and walk-in referrals from 2006 to the present in the center. A total of 356 students and private individuals were served and provided with Respect for Life Orientation while a total of 314 children ages 0-6 years old for Early childhood care and Development were served in alternative Day Care services through the Learn and Play Outreach Program. These are efforts of a man who for sure deserves to win in the Manila elections. In the elections for Manila Mayor, these are efforts of a man that ought be up there when we use our judgment.

When Lito Atienza threw his hat into the elections, perhaps many said “finally.” The man certainly has achieved a lot but more than this, he has helped a lot. There is a strong indication that all his good efforts will be rewarded during these elections for Manila mayor. He set up the center The Home For The Angels in order to take care of abandoned and neglected children. These Manila elections should reward him with more opportunities to help.

- Joel Dumayog

 

Thank You Very Much! – Lito Atienza

Comebacking Manila Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday expressed his gratitude to the influential Iglesia ni Cristo, El Shaddai, Muslim community, parish councils, barangay officials, various organizations, residents and many others who are solidly supporting his candidacy.

Atienza said that he was very overwhelmed by the love and support that he has been receiving, especially from the Manilans.

“Thank you very much. Victory is now within my reach,” he said. “I am overwhelmed by the support I am getting from everyone. I feel loved by the people of Manila. And I am very, very grateful. Thank you….thank you very much.”

With only three days to go, it’s already easy to see who will win in the mayoral elections in Manila if one gauges it with the way the thousands of Manila residents welcome the motorcades of Atienza and his runningmate, Bonjay-Isip.

“It’s chilling to see how the people excitedly welcome us every time they see us,” Atienza said.

According to Atienza’s supporters who accompany him during motorcades around the streets of Manila, the people zealously welcome him wherever he goes.

“I will fulfill my responsibilities as the father of the city and I will ensure that all my programs for Manila, especially for the poor, will be achieved. I am indebted to you for your trust and support. With the help of the Almighty Father, we will succeed,” he said.

My Political Rivals Are Desperate – Atienza

The son and campaign manager of Environment secretary and comebacking Manila Mayor Lito Atienza yesterday urged city residents not to be swayed by the black propaganda that their political rivals have been floating against them.

Arnold “Ali” Atienza said his father’s political opponents have been trying hard to confuse the people by making them believe that they were the leading candidates for the city’s mayoral post. He said their rivals were even circulating text messages that the influential Iglesia ni Cristo is not backing his father’s candidacy.

But Ali added that they were already expecting those kinds of disinformation from their opponents especially now that the election is just a few days away.

“They’ve been spreading text messages that we do not really have the support of the INC. They’ve been floating different survey results showing that they are the ones leading. They were even threatening city hall employees….we are expecting these. These are actions of desperate people who know that they are losing the fight,” said Ali, who added that he knew that other mayoral candidates would continue to spread more lies against them.

“They may fool some people especially those living outside the city, but definitely not the Manilans,” the younger Atienza stressed.

He said he is confident of the solid support of the barangay leaders, different religious groups and the residents of Manila that would eventually pave way for the return to the City Hall of three-term undefeated Mayor Lito Atienza.

Ali expressed gratitude to those who believe in his father’s programs and platforms that were already tried and tested during his previous terms as the city mayor.

Ali clarified that based on the survey conducted by the Manila Research Associates last April 29, Atienza was leading ahead of his rivals by 7 percentage votes. He said the survey was done even before Atienza got the nod of the INC.

But with INC’s endorsement, Atienza was assured of another 5 percent solid votes, thus, widening his lead and making him way ahead of his toughest rival, Alfredo Lim, Ali said.

“Dream on! Dreaming is free, anyway. But we’ll see who’s telling the truth on May 10,” he added.

Lito Atienza Widens Lead

Various religious groups, including the influential Iglesia ni Cristo have endorsed Manila Mayor Lito Atienza.

Apart from INC, Atienza is also being supported by Brother Mike Velarde of El Shaddai, Ustadz Ahmad Barcelom of the Manila Muslim community, Parish Councils of Manila as well as the majority of the city’s barangay chairmen, barangay councilors and watchmen and the pro-poor organization People’s Movement Against Poverty (PMAP).

It is widely known that the Iglesia ni Cristo has a huge following in the city. With the endorsement of the group, Atienza gains another 5 percent solid votes.

Based on the survey conducted last April 29, Atienza gained a 7 percentage lead against his toughest rival, incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim. With the INC votes, it can now be considered that Atienza is 12 percent leading against his opponent.

Meanwhile, El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde earlier said Manila needs a pro-life mayor.

Lito Atienza is not only pro-life, but also pro-good government,” he added.

According to Msgr. Mel David, one of Atienza’s spiritual advisers, he knows the former Environment secretary too well. “He has a good heart and he is very sincere in wanting to uplift the lives of Manilans. He is pro-God and represents good governance.”

On the other hand, PMAP president Ronald Lumbao said he endorsed the candidacy of Atienza because apart from being a God-fearing person, he believes that the former Environment secretary has a genuine concern to help and improve the plight of the poor.

“His programs answer the needs of the poor community of Manila. He’s very much unlike the incumbent mayor who doesn’t care about the less fortunate,” Lumbao said.

The Muslim community also back Atienza’s candidacy, saying he maintains friendship and communication with them despite the difference in belief and religion.

Meanwhile, 650 out of the 897 barangay chairmen, and most of the barangay kagawads and tanods said that they witnessed how the former and present mayor managed the city. They claimed that they were able to prove that Atienza is the one who has a genuine heart to help the people, especially the poor.

Atienza said he is grateful for all the endorsements. He thanked all those who believe in him and his programs and vowed to do his best to improve the quality of life of the Manilans by creating jobs and provide livelihood and other opportunities for all.

The son of comebacking Manila Mayor and campaign manager Lito Atienza on Tuesday reiterated their apeal before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for manual counting in the city after discovering technical glitches in almost 80 percent of the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines.

During a press conference, Ali Atienza, said they have received repports and complaints from their watchers regarding the said testing of the PCOS machines wherein most of it failed to read votes for the mayoralty position. In the press conference, Ali showed the results of the testing. He also said that in District 3, the votes for his father were credited to incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim.

The younger Atienza said the poll body must immediately find solution on the said case now that the election is just six days away.

“Hindi lamang dito sa Maynila pwede mangyari dito kundi sa buong bansa,” Ali said, noting that he is for the computerization of the elections in the country. “I am for computerization but not now. It is safer for everyone kung mano-mano muna, dahil sa ngayon ay puro mali ang lumalabas sa PCOS machines . Ano ang mangyayari sa resulta ng elections? Ang mahirap kasi baka hindi na mapagkatiwalaan ng tao ang computerized elections dahil sa mga pwedeng mangyari na gaya nito,” he said.

However, Ali said that they could use the machines to double check the results of the elections, but the results of the manual counting must be the official basis for the proclamation of winning candidates.

He explained that changing the chips of the machines is useless because the machine itself has problems. “There is a major problem in the machines, not in the chips. Every system tumatakbo ang program inside the machines.” Further, Ali cited that Filipinos would have no problem with manual voting as they are already familiar with it, so the room for error is very little.

Atienza alleged that the glitches in the testing has a strong connection with the earlier discovery of City Hall-Electronic Data Processing (EDP) Unit by a City Hall employee, Nilda Reluya on the supposed “results” prior to the elections wherein Lim’s camp, from Presidential candidiate Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino down to the councilors had a landslide victory.