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.

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.

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.

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.

Thus said Ali Atienza, campaign manager of Mayor Lito Atienza, following reports that Lim’s camp have been blaming them for the proliferation of “red cards” carrying the pictures of Atienza and Bonjay and were intended to confuse voters regarding the place and number of their respective precincts.

Ali said this is again one of the dirty tactics of Dirty Harry meant to make the people angry at them, just like what Lim did during the 2007 elections.

“They’ve already done this to us before—they gave away cellphone cards with my picture to the media people. But the cellcards were empty, making me look bad. Now they’re doing it again,” the younger Atienza said.

Ali added that Lim should use common sense, saying that if they were indeed the ones behind the proliferation of the red cards, they wouldn’t bother placing the pictures of Atienza and Bonjay knowing that the people would get mad at them.

Ali suspects that nobody but Lim’s camp are behind all of these because they couldn’t explain why election results were being prepared at the EDP unit which is under the Office of the Mayor.

“They couldn’t explain the documents found in their office, that’s why they were fabricating issues against us. Why do they already have the election results and the numbers of PCOS machines that are not even delivered yet to the precincts? They should explain all of these,” Ali said.

Ali also called on Manilans and the media not to be swayed by the dirty tactics of Lim’s group.

“We’ve been expecting all of these because they also created a lot of scenarios in 2007 to provoke outrage among the people. I’m sure they will still come up with more foolish ideas, but I know Manilans are intelligent voters. I also trust the media. Lim can no longer fool the people now, they know him too well,” he said.

“Know their precinct numbers, vote early and don’t be fooled by Lim’s dirty tactics,” he advised Manilans.

“Among the good, there is the best. And the best mayor is Lito Atienza,” said Herrera.

For his part, Atienza expressed gratitude to Herrera for the experience and learnings he acquired from him during the latter’s term as the city administrator under the leadership of the late Mayor Ramon Bagatsing in the 1970s. During that time, Atienza was the head of the Manila Information Office.

“There were many good housing, land distribution and livelihood programs being implemented by Mr. Herrera back then. I also learned a lot from him,” said Atienza.

Herrera said he’s confident that the city residents also realize the need to pursue programs under Atienza’s Buhayin ang Maynila, given the latter’s track record as an undefeated mayor for nine years.

He noted that “the people’s desire for order, healthier surroundings, livelihood and jobs for all which he has already provided and will continue to provide, will propel Atienza to victory. Given the political will and genuine desire to help, Atienza can really uplift a lot of the poor, especially with their most basic need—shelter.”

Under Mayor Alfredo Lim’s administration, Herrera said the people can expect nothing when it comes to the issue of land distribution.

“Your humble dream of owning your own small lot and house has been shattered. You can’t expect anything from the incumbent administration” Herrera stressed.

If given another mandate, Atienza said that respect for life and providing the people with their basic needs would be the top priority of his Buhayin ang Maynila Part 2.

Atienza criticized the claims of the incumbent administration that it has been providing the Manilans with health services at city-run hospitals.

“Is there free medicine in the hospitals? None. They will give you a prescription at the emergency units, you’ll have to buy the medicine outside. Whose health does this administration care for? No one’s. It has a lot to answer for in its abuse of taxpayers’ money, in its misuse of public funds,” he said.

A the same time, Atienza also informed the multi-sectoral group about how City Hall employee Nilda Reluya discovered the plot to manipulate election results that would favor Lim in the coming May 10 elections.

“By the grace of God, the fabricated election results were left on the table in the EDP office where Reluya works, and she saw one computer still on. She took a peek and the file read ‘Election 2010-Election Proper,’ and it showed results for the positions of president, vice president, congressman, mayor, vice mayor and city councilors, all showing landslide wins for the incumbent mayor and his partymates,” said Atienza.

“The pieces of paper left on Reluya’s were printouts of election results in the clustered precincts at the Amado V. Hernandez Elementary School in Tondo, where former President Joseph Estrada and his entire ticket in Manila led by Atienza, are heavily favored by the people, both in the campaigns and ratings,” added Herrera.

The Buhayin ang Maynila team suspects that the desperate move of Lim’s camp to rig the election results stems from the the result of the latest survey showing that Atienza is leading among the mayoral candidates—a clear indication that he and his running mate, vice mayoralty bet Bonjay Isip are already “on the road to victory.”

“Will you allow the election results to be altered? I believe that the voice of the people is the voice of God. This should not be tampered, especially by the incumbent mayor. I have full trust and confidence in the process but what they have been doing now in City Hall is highly suspicious,” said Atienza

“We will fulfill your dreams at the soonest possible time. In my nine years as the city mayor, I was able to raise the city’s revenue collection to P8 billion. Thats why from being dark and filthy, Manila became a progressive city,” he added. “Starting July 1, we will bring the smile back in Manila. The residents will have decent dwelling they can call their own. All of these, we will achieve when I come back.”

A citywide survey conducted by Manila Research Associates showed Partido ng Masang Pilipino standard bearer former President Joseph Estrada and his runningmate, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay edging out erstwhile frontrunners in the presidential derby.

Interviewed over DZMM, Atienza confirmed the results of the internal survey even as he disclosed that Buhayin ang Maynila bet for Vice Mayor Bonjay Isip likewise grabbed the lead over her rivals for vice mayor.

Atienza added that the same internal survey conducted in the six districts from April 27 to 29, 2010 also showed other Buhayin bets in the winning circle of candidates for other local posts at stake in the upcoming elections in Manila.

In the same interview, Atienza assured that he will continue some of the good works done by the outgoing administration but will also revive other public service programs that greatly benefited Manila residents during his unparralled three straight terms as Mayor.

For instance, Atienza promised to bring back organized vending in the city “pero kailangan na malinis, maayos at may lisensiya ang mga vendors para hindi na sila hinaharass and hinihingan ng kotong.”

Atienza likewise vowed to revive the once thriving baywalk stretch along Roxas Boulevard where Manila residents and tourists used to gather to enjoy the famous sunset, among others.

According to PMAP president Ronald Lumbao, Ronilda Reluya’s testimony that she saw how the fake election returns containing Precinct Count Optical Scanner (PCOS) machine numbers and number of votes for national and local candidates were being prepared at the Electronic Data Processing (EDP) unit inside the Office of the Mayor and in front of EDP chief Edgardo Tan is well founded.The fake election results supposedly from Manila’s Tondo district show landslide victory for Lim, his relatives including his son and his grandson who are running for councilor in the first district, and the entire Noynoy-Mar ticket.The documents also indicate the number of PCOS machines, a detail which supposedly known only to the Comelec prior to the election day.

Lumbao said that there is clearly a connivance between some Comelec officials and Mayor Lim to electronically sabotage the election results in Manila in favor of Liberal Party candidates.“The local Comelec in Manila has a new Garci in them that is ensuring the victory of Lim and Noynoy. He added that Manilans should be alarmed and vigilant over attempts by Lim’s camp to thwart the popular will of the people by cheating using the power of money and some people in the government.“If this form of cheating can be done in Manila by no less than the city mayor, this can also be possible in other cities and provinces in the country just to ensure the victory of Noynoy and Mar. And the hello Garci scandal will most likely happen again,” Lumbao said.

This Lim-led electronic cheating in Manila, together with Noynoy’s earlier pronouncement that he will not accept an election result that will not proclaim him a winner as well as the persistent calls of the Makati Business Club-led Namfrel for a parallel quick count, could well be seen now as a grand plan to ensure the return to power of the ruling elite.“We join Mayor Lito Atienza’s appeal to the Comelec to disqualify Lim following his attempt to rig the elections using government funds. He has no right to be elected because he will surely rob the coffers of the City when given the chance, as he already did,” Lumbao said.

Lumbao also said that he finds logic in Atienza’s call to put Manila under Comelec control and to deputize the AFP to secure the elections instead of using the police, who are obviously loyal to Lim. Along with thousands of their supporters, Atienza’s entire “Buhayin ang Maynila” team also held a prayer rally for honest, orderly, peaceful and credible elections in front of the Manila Cathedral yesterday morning.

“We will support Mayor Atienza’s decision,” President Estrada said in a statement issued by his spokesperson Margaux Salcedo.

Estrada’s PMP party had earlier endorsed the comeback bid of Atienza for a record fourth-term as Manila Mayor against incumbent Alfredo Lim, whose men were linked by a concerned City Hall to a conspiracy to rig election results in Manila by using pre-fabricated election results supposed to be transmitted to the Comelec through the internet soon as the polls close in Manila on May 10.

The witness, Ms. Ronilda Reluya, had issued a sworn statement testifying that she herself saw accomplished election returns for the May 10 elections for the post of president, vice president, mayor down to councilors which showed that Lim already won the still to be held mayoralty elections, with LP bets Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas also winning over their opponents.

Reluya, a computer operator at City Hall’s electronic data processing unit under the Office of the Mayor, also testified that at least eight people carried out the scheme after all the EDP personnel were asked to leave the office. She said she discovered the anomaly soon as they came back to work.

In a press conference, Atienza asked the Comelec to reshuffle their personnel assigned to man Manila’s polling centers even as he appealed to concerned groups, including the Parish pastoral Council for Responsible Voting to remain vigilant against all attempts to thwart the popular will of the people of Manila in the coming elections.

Voting for Lim may be useless as he may even be booted out of office, especially if he will be convicted for the graft charges in connection with the Century Park Hotel lot sale for only P1 billion to a company of taipan Lucio Tan when the property could fetch for P3 to P4.5 billion, said the barangay leaders and members headed by Ernesto Jose of Malate.

Jose and the barangay leaders pointed out that aside from the highly questionable Century Park Hotel deal, Lim and other city officials were also charged with graft and malversation in connection an alleged 5,500 “ghost cheeseburger” purchase for supposedly a one day event for P221,250 last year from the small Angel’s Burger House in San Juan City.

All the charges against Lim and the other city officials, including Rafaelito Garayblas who is secretary to the mayor and acting president of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, were filed by no less than lawyer Reynaldo Bagatsing, a former consultant, aide and campaigner of Lim.

“Sayang na sayang ang mga boto kay Lim dahil napakalakas ang mga ebidensiya sa kanya sa mga kasong korupsyon,” Jose stressed.

“Nakakahiya na pinalabas nina Mayor Lim na nagkaroon ng isang pagpupulong ang mga barangay noong Agosto 27, 2009 at binilhan nina Lim ang pagpupulong na ito ng 5,500 hamburgers mula sa Angel’s Burger House na nasa San Juan pa,” said Jose.

“At bakit kaya sa San Juan pa bumili ng 5,500 hamburgers eh meron naman sa Manila ?” dugtong ni Jose.

Jose and the barangay leaders appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman to expedite their investigation on the graft cases filed against Lim and other city officials so that the Manilans, especially the voters in May, will be guided accordingly.

He said that already Lim and his officials have been asked by the Ombudsman to explain the controversial transactions with the Lucio Tan company in connection with the Century Park Sheraton lot deal.