Comebacking Manila Mayor Lito Atienza Endorsed by Ronald Lumbao

Peoples Movement Against Poverty (PMAP) chairman Ronald Lumbao endorsed the candidacy of comebacking Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and the rest of the candidates of “Buhayin ang Maynila” ticket during a kick-off rally in Sampaloc Manila the other night.

Lumbao expressed confidence in the competence of Atienza and his team, saying they are very much capable of improving the quality of life of the Manilans, especially the poor residents.

He stressed that he chose to support the return of the former Environment secretary to the mayoralty of the city of Manila because they share the same vision for the poor.

Lumbao added that it is Atienza, not Mayor Alfredo Lim, who has the genuine heart for the poor.

He said Lim had failed to make good his promises during the 2007 elections that he would initiate programs that would alleviate the poor from poverty.

"Mayor Lim is a liar. When he ran in 2007, he promised Manilans that he would provide them with jobs, businesses and other livelihood opportunities. But none of those promises were fulfilled. In three years, he has done nothing to help his constituents, especially the impoverished families," he said.

PMAP is one of the biggest groups which has been fighting to improve the plight of the poor. It has also endorsed the candidacy of comebacking President Joseph Estrada.

“Of all presidents, it was only during the administration of former President Estrada that the poor were truly prioritized. We want him to become president again so that he can continue his programs for the masses,” he said.

Apart from Lumbao, Estrada also repeatedly expressed disgust over Lim's failure to fulfill his commitment with the people of Manila.

Estrada said Lim is a liar who did not honor his word and broke his promises to the city residents soon after he won the 2007 elections.

Lito Atienza 2010: Manila Needs Her Mayor Back

The Manila Elections has become more interesting and intriguing as a lot of political heavyweights have thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the all powerful Mayor of Manila. Among these political heavyweights who joined the mayoralty battle 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 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 has what it takes to become the new mayor of the city including years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record which makes him one of the expected 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 began 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. During the Martial Law era, Atienza was put in detention 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 being vocal about his dismay with the Marcos administration, Lito Atienza was voted as Barangay Captain for ten years after serving as a tanod before which allowed him to listen to the voices and reservations of ordinary people more.The former Mayor of Manila was employed later at the Information Office of Manila City Hall with 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 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 stint as Parliamentary member of the Batasang Pambansa begun 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 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 short stay as NHA General Manger, Atienza would later join the 1988 mayoralty elections of Manila where he lost to his then rival Mel Lopez who was supported by President Aquino.Despite the loss, he never lost his spirit and his desire to serve flourished even more 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 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 able to improve and beautify much of entire city's former tourist attractions along with the lives and welfare of the city folks. Atienza also started key projects which were intended to benefit the poor, the older citizens, women and children.

After his stint as full term Manila Mayor, Atienza would later be appointed 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 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.

Former Mayor of Manila Lito Atienza's unblemished political stint and achievements are clear testaments to his passion in being a public servant and being a true statesman. Atienza deserves to win the Manila Elections anew 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 banner Lito Atienza 2010, Atienza hopes to continue his work for Manila's folks.

-Joel Dumayog

Mayor Of Manila: Manila Needs Atienza Back

Among the most distinguished political personalities who joined the Manila elections is former Manila mayor Lito Atienza.Atienza is considered as one of the early frontrunners in the mayoralty race due to his years of experience in public service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature and proven and unblemished track record. Atienza's colorful political career has spanned for almost four decades now, a clear indication on how he has lived his life as a statesman and public servant.Atienza's stint as Manila mayor is best described by a radical transformation of the city's old and forgotten tourist areas, and the improved living conditions for city folks.

Former Manila mayor Lito Atienza, who holds 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.His resume includes volumes of accomplishments and completed projects which have benefited a lot of Manilenos. As a way to achieve his dream of providing the Manilenos with a city that they can call their own, and which they will care for; the former mayor of Manila is gunning for a fresh mandate as city mayor. Atienza will be continuing his commitment to serve his beloved city and its residents under his program "Buyahin Nating Muli ang Maynila."

The former mayor of Manila has vowed to continue his crusade against poverty and uplift the living conditions of the city's impoverished residents. For him, improving the living conditions of the city's residents should begin within the ranks of the local government through an effective delivery of basic services.Atienza will push for the improved delivery of basic services especially to Manila's poorest residents.To achieve his goal, former Manila mayor Lito Atienza has outlined several livelihood and economic projects to improve the living conditions within the city.

As part of his program "Buyahin Nating Muli ang Maynila.", Atienza has promised an improved delivery of basic services as a way of extending the local government's help in uplifting the lives of the city folks.Atienza will be launching several programs aimed to benefit the city's poorest residents.These programs will cover housing programs, improved healthcare services, enhanced peace and order situation, access to education, sports development, improving the arts and culture, caring for the nature and welfare of the citizens.Some of these projects have already been established during Atienza's tenure as Manila mayor.

Atienza plans to continue his affordable housing and land acquisition programs for the poor. With the assistance of non-government organizations like Gawad Kalinga and Habitat for Humanity, Atienza will provide more affordable houses in the city's poorest sections including Isla Putting Bato, Parola 1 and 2, and Baseco.Improved healthcare services are also among the top concerns of Atienza. Atienza will increase the budget allocated for the procurement of medical equipment and medicines, and to sustain the city's free healthcare services including free check ups and medicines.

Lito Atienza will also try to hunt down drug traffickers and syndicates as part of improving the peace and order situation of the city. The former mayor will also utilize a huge portion of the city's resources into education to sustain the delivery of free education, free school supplies, affordable college education and alternative education that offers vocational and technical courses for all Manilenos. The development of sports, culture and arts will also be one of the key projects of Atienza as a way of as a way of extending the city government's support to the talented and promising residents of Manila. As a former Environment secretary, Atienza also plans to promote policies which can ensure the protection of nature as well as of the public including the relocation of the oil depot in Pandacan . Senior citizens can also take benefit from great discounts and other benefits as part of Atienza's program dedicated for the welfare of the older citizens of the city.

An early frontrunner in the coming Manila elections, former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza has pledged several programs which are designed to improve the local government's delivery of basic services. The former mayor of Manila has vowed to continue his crusade against poverty and continues to be committed in uplifting the lives of the city's impoverished residents. Atienza plans to focus on several programs which are designed to improve the delivery of basic services which will benefit the city's poorest residents.

-Ulysees Ong