Former Manila City Administrator Boy Herrera endorsed the candidacy of comebacking Mayor Lito Atienza, whom he described as “the best among the good mayors of Manila,” Friday night during a gathering of multi-sectoral groups.

“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.”

Comebacking former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has gained the lead over incumbent Mayor Alfredo Lim in the Manila mayoralty race by some seven percentage (7%) points with less than two weeks to go in the campaign for the May 10 elections.

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.