These include housing projects and health care, livelihood and sports programs that helped improve the quality of life of the city residents.

His accomplishments dwarfed all the things his rival, outgoing Mayor Alfredo Lim, was claiming to have achieved.

The gathering and covenant signing, which was organized by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) at the Manila Cathedral School in Tayuman, Tondo, was held in a bid for a peaceful, honest, clean and credible elections.

Several residents took interest in witnessing the event as it gave them the opportunity to get to know better the city’s mayoral and vice mayoral candidates as well as their programs for Manila and the people.

Another political nemesis of Atienza, former Philippine National Police chief Avelino Razon, who appeared to be a rank outsider during the debate between Atienza and Lim, also attended the event.

Also present were Atienza’s running mate, Bonjay Isip and her political rival, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno.

Atienza’s each response was met by rousing applause from the audience–a clear indication that they approve of him and that they benefited from the projects he initiated during his term.

Knowing that Atienza’s achievements and leadership are far better, it wouldn’t be surprising if Lim’s supporters have already changed their minds and support the former Environment secretary instead.

Apart from this, Lito Atienza is also known to be a God-fearing person and a staunch Pro-Life advocate.

“We do not want a bully, motormouth and a reckless mayor. We want Atienza back in Manila,” one resident said.

Lim is now facing a libel complaint for publicly accusing Atienza’s son, Arnold “Ali” Atienza, of using illegal drugs during a debate last Thursday at the Manila Polo Club.

It can be recalled that during Lim’s previous terms as the city mayor, he spray-painted the houses of suspected drug dealers with the words “drug pusher” to shame them.

“He should have done it at his own son’s house first,” added another resident who attended the debate.

Lim pointed an accusing finger on Atienza when the incumbent Manila mayor was asked his opinion on the proliferation of illegal drugs in his city during a debate with former Manila Mayor and his chief rival Lito Atienza, which was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Manila last Thursday.

Lim even claimed the younger Atienza was committed to a rehabilitation center due to drug addiction.

“This is gutter politics at its lowest. That is one big lie!,” the younger Atienza said. “If Mr. Lim does not have anything to besmirch my father’s name, he should not concoct tales like having a drug user in our family if only to prop up his sagging stature. Maybe Mr. Lim does not look at his own family”, Ali Atienza said. Lim had also claimed Atienza was never seen during his term as Manila Mayor from 1992-1998, when the elder Atienza served as his vice.

“If Mr. Lim is speculating that I was under rehab at that time, maybe he should try to recall his activities to remember that during those years, I even paid a courtesy call to him, and also former President Ramos, to present my gold medal as an Asian taekwondo champion,” the younger Atienza said.

Ali Atienza, who also once served as presidential adviser on youth and sports, became the very first Filipino gold medalist when he won the most coveted mint in the 1994 Asian Taekwondo Championships at the age of 21. “All my life, I devoted my time and energy to sports, even after my retirement from active competition. I kept myself fit, I can even deliver a roundhouse at any time I’m challenged,” Ali said. Ali used to head the Manila Sports Council (Masco) and it was under his watch when the Manila Youth Games (MYG) were started. The MYG became a feeder of champion athletes who excelled not only in the Palarong Pambansa, but in other regional and international competitions, as well, including the Southeast Asian Games.

In 2008, Lim’s son, Manny, was arrested and detained for alleged drug pushing, trafficking and drug use.The younger Lim and a companion were arrested on March 14, 2008 at the Pharaoh Hotel in Sta. Cruz, Manila during a buy bust operation. He was released on a P400,000 bail, which was reduced from
P600,000 after they were found in possession of around 100 grams of metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

The younger Atienza said he wants to find out what happened to the case, although reports had it that the investigators handling the younger Lim’s case have all been dismissed from service already.