If Manila residents would Vote Lito Atienza and would give him a fresh three-year mandate, Atienza will launch his platform billed as “Buhayin Nating Muli Ang Maynila” which is centered on continuing what he has started during his leadership.In light of this, Atienza has penciled a number of programs and priority projects, all of which are designed to meet all the basic social needs of the city and its residents.Atienza plans to sustain his livelihood programs and effective delivery of basic social services which has benefited much of the city’s impoverished residents during his tenure as city mayor.

To fulfill his vision of uplifting the lives of the city’s poorest residents, Atienza plans to launch programs that would stimulate the city’s once-vibrant economy. Atienza will try to lure in investors into the city by upgrading the city’s infrastructure and peace and order situation. In this way, economic activity in the city will be revived, which can result into job generation for the city’s unemployed residents. Livelihood programs and skills trainings will also be provided to the city’s unemployed and out of school youth to provide them with a decent livelihood and source of income.Moreover, Atienza will also create employment opportunities for the city’s senior citizens who would still want to work.

Apart from jobs and employment opportunities creation, Atienza will also continue to address the needs of the residents by including almost all social aspects in his platform.Atienza will launch and continue programs and projects that will include a wide array of social areas including programs for housing, healthcare, peace and order, education, sports, culture and arts, nature and environment and welfare of senior citizens. If the Manilenos will Vote Lito Atienza, the benefits and the services they were able to avail during Atienza’s term will be continued and sustained for good.

If given another three-year term as city mayor, Atienza plans to create more affordable housing programs and land acquisition programs both for the homeless impoverished residents and even to the middle class. As part of his efforts in upgrading the city’s healthcare services, Atienza has vowed to enrich the coffers of the city’s public hospitals and health centers. This will allow hospitals to acquire modern medical equipment and medicines to be able to provide the Manilenos with quality healthcare and free medicines.Healthcare services will be delivered to every barangay via the “Sama sa Masa”, a priority project of Atienza where in doctors conduct free medicines and checkups to every barangay of the city. Atienza will also continue to provide free education and school supplies to the city’s public school students. In addition, as part of his efforts in providing quality and affordable college education, Manila’s colleges and universities will also be further improved.Livelihood programs and skills trainings like vocational courses will also be provided to Manila’s unemployed and out of school youth.

Atienza plans on extending support to Manila’s budding athletes and talents through the promotion of sports-culminating activities and free training and development programs.The city’s peace and order situation will also be enhanced and perpetrators of crime and big time drug or crime syndicates will be put into justice. As a former environment czar, Atienza will be pushing for the removal of the oil depot in Pandacan, which he deem as a serious environmental and safety threat to the people residing in the area.Furthermore, Atienza is planning to move forward with his beautification projects to put Manila back into the tourists’ maps and top destinations in the country.Atienza plans to continue transforming and beautifying the city’s old and deteriorating parks and tourist attractions, just like what he did in Manila’s bay area or commonly known as the baywalk.

If Manila residents Vote Lito Atienza, the former Manila mayor plans to continue his dedication and commitment in uplifting the lives of the city’s residents. Atienza’s platform is centered on improving local government’s delivery of basic services and creating livelihood and employment opportunities as a way of addressing the poverty incidence in the city. Atienza also plans to continue his beautification projects just like what he did in he now infamous baywalk.

Dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada at Lito Atienza sa isang political rally sa San Andres district.

“Ang kailangan ng Maynila ay  isang Alkaldeng maasahan ng kanyang mga kababayan at may puso sa lahat ng mga nangangailan na handang tumulong sa mga mahihirap anumang oras”.

Ito ang binigyang diin ni dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada sa isang political rally sa San Andres district kamakalawa ng gabi kasabay ng pag eendorso sa kandidatura ng nagbabalik na Alkalde ng Maynila na si Lito Atienza at sa buong tiket nito na “Buhayin ang Maynila”.

Hindi naman magkamayaw sa pagsigaw ng suporta ang libo-libong residente ng San Andres na dumalo sa nasabing pagtitipon kung saan inihayag ni Erap na si Atienza ay isang “tunay na kaibigan, laging maaahan at hindi nang-iiwan sa gitna ng laban”.

Matapos na itaas ni Erap ang kamay ni Atienza at ng running mate nitong si Bonjay Isip-Garcia, bilang pag eendorso sa kandidatura ng dalawa, pinasalamatan ng dating Pangulo ang mga Manileno sa patuloy nilang pagsuporta sa Partido ng Masang Pilipino at nangako na susuklian nito ang pagmamahal na ibinigay sa kanya sa pamamagitan ng public service sa pakikipag tulungan na rin ni nagbabalik na administrasyon ni undefeated three term Mayor  Atienza.

“Alam ko ang pagkatao ni Lito. Subok na siya sa pagtulong sa mga mamamayan, lalo na sa mga mahihirap”, ayon pa kay Erap kung saan ikinumpra nito si Atienza kay Mayor Alfredo Lim at sinabing hindi siya inibandona ng nagbabalik na Alkalde hindi tulad ni Lim na isang sinungaling.

“Yang si Lim, nagsinungaling pa. May aasikasuhin lang daw siya, aawatin lang daw niya ang mga tao, yun pala, pupunta na sa Edsa. Hindi kagaya ni Atienza hindi ako iniwan hanggang sa huling araw ko sa Malacanang noong Enero 2002″ , ayon pa kay Erap.

Malaki naman ang panghihinayang ni Erap kung bakit sinuportahan niya ang kandidatura ni Lim noong 2007 sa kabila ng pagta-traydor sa kanya nito nong Edsa 2 at muling  napatunayan ng dating Pangulo na walang malasakit sa mahihirap ang Alkalde ng kaladkarin ng mga tauhan nito palabas ng Vitas slaughter house ang isang konsehal ng Maynila. “Kung magagawa niya yan sa isang konsehal, ano pa kaya sa maliiit na tao?”ayon pa kay Estrada.

Nilinaw ni Estrada na hindi siya nagalit kay Atienza ng magiging miyembro ito ng gabinete ni PGM dahil hindi naman umabuso sa kapangyarihan ang dating DENR Secretary at nanatili pa itong tapat sa kanyang mga kaibigan tulad ni Erap simula pa noong dekada 70 kung saan nagsimula sila sa iisang layunin sa pag aalaga sa mga matatanda at pagbibigay ng bahay sa mga mahihirap na siya ring prioridad ni Estrada noong siya pa ang Alkalde ng San Juan hanggang sa maging Senador noong 1987.

The father of Lito Atienza, Jose Atienza Sr, or Pepe was the top leader of the Department of Public Services. He was a distinguished public servant who would even get up in the middle of the night just to help troubled neighbors. His uncle, Herminigildo Atienza, was appointed Manila Mayor himself right after the liberation of the city. He was a very good mayor who was considered as one of the biggest influences in the founding of the legendary Liberal Party of Philippine politics.

Lito Atienza grew up amidst the ruins of the city of Manila, walked through the neighborhoods that was but a collection of debris and even swam on the waters of Manila Bay. He would be the perfect Manila Mayor because he grew up in the city in which he dreams to lead. He dreamt that he would eventually join Philippine politics, elevate the city of Manila into a greatness which will make the ashes of the war a mere afterthought. By gunning for the post of Manila mayor, he can now engage in his dream task of trying to place Manila back to the high status where it belongs.

Lito Atienza is certainly very qualified to become Manila Mayor. He had his primary and secondary education in Ateneo de Manila University and added a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Santo Tomas. Despite the fact that their family was monetarily rich, they were hardworking which enabled Lito to enter into the top schools. The Atienza family exhibited faithfulness and feared God properly. This mixed background of family values and fundamental religious aspects are certainly very important for the position of public servant in Philippine politics.

Definitely best qualification of Lito Atienza is his bespectacled good name. His father Pepe firmly believed that no wealth could ever match the reputation of the heritage of good name backed up with a good education. Lito also had numerous friends and mostly persevered in order to reach his goals. He would take manual labor jobs and even rode along classmates with cars without shame because he firmly believed in hard work as the bridge to our goals.

Lito Atienza would certainly add to his colored history in his participation in Philippine politics by running for mayor. By all accounts, being the Manila Mayor would be best for him and for the city of Manila given his heritage with the place. He lived not only his life here, but also lived with his family in the city which he envisions to prosper. If he wins, it will truly be for everyone’s benefit if we give him a chance to fulfill his dreams of the city for us.

When Lito Atienza announced his intention to run for the mayor position of the city of Manila, many applauded the move. There would be no other person perhaps who is more qualified for the position of Manila Mayor. Apart from coming from a distinguished family in the history of Philippine politics, Lito Atienza also has vast experience as a politician. He has a good clean name established through a reputation of irreproachable character of sincere public service.

The former Mayor of Manila who holds the record as the only mayor who has served a full term, is one of the most well-cherished 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 consists of volumes of achievements and countless completed projects that have benefited the city residents particularly those who are impoverished.His political career spanning 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’s early political career started 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 staunch detractor of the Marcos administration.When the country was in the Martial Law, Atienza was detained 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 uncovered 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 out his dissatisfaction with the Marcos administration, Atienza held the position 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 was later employed as 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 decide on embarking on a bold journey as he seek a Parliamentary seat despite having no financial support at all.Instead, Atienza banked 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 tenure as a Parliamentary member of the Batasang Pambansa started in 1984, representing the then vast Congressional District of Manila which include the districts of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres Bukid, Sta. Ana, Santa Mesa.He was a known staunch ally of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the opposition stalwarts who persuaded Cory Aquino to run for president.After Marcos was repulsed during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the former Mayor of Manila agreed to lead the National Housing Authority where he promoted affordable housing for teachers and policemen.After a brief career at the NHA as General Manger, Atienza opted 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 defeated as he would later run and win as Vice-Mayor in 1992 and 1995.

In 1998 Manila Elections, Atienza finally broke into the mayoralty seat and successfully created history as the only Vice Mayor who got elected as city mayor.Atienza was noted 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 able to transform and beautify much of entire city’s former tourist attractions along with the lives and welfare of the city folks. Atienza also devised 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 focused on giving a new life to the country’s rivers and lakes, partnering with several environment groups including the Laguna Lake Development Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan. He has also ran after illegal logging operations in the countryside and has also ordered the closures of 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

Maynila residents are witnesses on how they were taken good care of former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza through implementation of various programs under his flagship project Buhayin and Maynila.This program was thought as a beautification drive which is meant only to transform and revive the city’s areas as par of the urban renewal project. On the contrary, the project covers all aspects of social improvement that includes projects on health, knowledge, peace and order, cleanliness and environment, orderliness, livelihood, economic progress, culture and sports. Atienza’s mayoralty stint is characterized by drastic developments in social and community levels, improved living conditions and government services and facilities, and a more simplified bureaucratic agency of the city government of Manila.

Being a devout catholic and head of the Pro-Life Philippines, former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza launched Pro-Life programs     which has opposed campaigns and programs that supported contraception or abortion or any sex education programs. It also under this movement that Atienza supported the Rachel’s’ Support Group, a group of volunteers who have suffered post abortion syndrome and the organization that created the “Tomb of the Unborn” wherein aborted babies are given decent burial and prayers.The former Mayor Manila also has a natural soft spot for Maynila’s elderly and this was evident as he launched the program called Mahal Ko Si Lolo, Mahal Ko Si Lola. This program provided livelihood trainings for the elderly and has helped them enjoy the prime of their lives.

As part of his pledge in empowering women, Atienza founded the Kababaihan ng Maynila, an organization which promotes livelihood program for Maynilas’ women. Feeding programs were also created during former Mayor Manila Lito Atienza’s term as city mayor. In 1986, he established PAGKAIN Foundation or Pagkakaisa sa Kaginhawahan at Adhikain which provided feeding programs, food subsidies and promotion of awareness on wellness, nutrition and health care to city’s poor residents. Atienza has also founded the Home for the Angels, a center that provides child care to forsaken and ill-treated infants.

His remarkable stint as Mayor Manila has catapulted him into great prominence in Philippine politics. As his last term was nearing its end, a lot of people have talked about whether he will seek for a higher position or finally exit the tumultuous world of Philippine politics. Atienza recognized for his achievement in Maynila, was appointed secretary of DENR where he brought his leadership and political will in the agency. Atienza would later spearhead a number of projects all of which were aimed to protect and manage our natural resources.

Among his prominent projects as DENR secretary was the strict execution of the Clean Air Act as part of his efforts in cleaning the air.Atienza also in cooperation with environment groups such as the Laguna Lake Development Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay Kalikasan in protected our country’s rivers and lakes.The former Mayor Manila also vowed to run after illegal loggers and encouraged local officials to close down open dumpsites within their vicinity.Recently, Atienza launched a concentrated effort on tracking farmers who open burn their farm wastes like rice stalks, grasses and other agricultural wastes.Atienza has also proposed the execution of LPG as the main fuel of public buses plying the metro’s thoroughfares.

Atienza became one of the prominent figures in Philippine politics because of his achievement in serving as the city’s mayor for three full terms. Former Mayor Manila launched several programs all of which have significantly helped in the development and improvement of the lives of Maynila folks. Atienza also served as DENR secretary where he achieved success in implementing several environmental programs to protect the country’s natural resources.

-Joel Dumayog