MANILA – Former senator and long-time Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim passed away on Saturday afternoon, a day after it was reported that he was rushed to the hospital due to an illness.
Lim’s chief of staff Ricardo de Guzman confirmed the passing of the veteran politician at the age of 90 around 4:30 p.m. at an undisclosed private hospital.
While De Guzman did not provide details as to the cause of Lim’s death, incumbent Manila City mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said that the former mayor died of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Si dating mayor Alfredo Lim ay sumakabilang buhay na po dala ng pagkakaimpeksiyon niya sa COVID-19,” Domagoso said in a statement on Saturday evening. “Hindi na rin kinaya ng kaniyang katawan.”
Malacañang extended its condolences to Lim’s family, extolling Lim for his no-nonsense approach to law enforcement.
“The nation, particularly the City of Manila, remembers Mayor Lim for his tough stance against criminality and drugs. He left a legacy of law and order to his constituents,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Lim was first elected as Manila City mayor in 1992 and was re-elected in 1995. He has returned to the position in 2007 and served until 2013. He was also a former senator after being elected during the 2004 national elections.
Lim also tried his luck on presidency in 1998 national elections but lost to Joseph Estrada. His last foray in the politics was an attempt to return as Manila City Mayor in 2019 but was defeated by Domagoso.
Lim was a member of the national police force for 30 years as he was a former Superintendent of the Philippine National Police Academy and the Director of the Western Police District and retired as Major General.
Lim also held Cabinet position when he was appointed as director of the National Bureau of Investigation in 1992 and as Interior and Local Government secretary by Estrada in 2000./PN
