Isko: Documents show Lim ordered my arrest

MANILA, Philippines – Armed with documents pointing re-electionist Mayor Alfredo Lim as the one who ordered his arrest, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno is demanding Lim to make good on his promise to resign.

In a press conference on Tuesday, April 9, Moreno presented a copy of a barangay daily report signed by Lim bearing a marginal note with instructions that “appropriate actions must be taken” because the bingo activities are “considered gambling.”

He was also able to obtain a copy of memoranda issued by Lim’s campaign manager and chief of staff Ricardo de Guzman sent to Barangay Bureau Director Analyn Buan and Manila Police District (MPD) Director Chief Superintendent Alejandro Gutierrez to uphold the order.

The paper trail also included a “Letter for Appropriate Action” to police commanders and supervisors in Plaza Miranda and Barbosa precincts and outposts signed by Police Senior Inspector Robinson Maranion.

Moreno is seeking re-election as running mate of former President Joseph Estrada, who is challenging Lim for the mayorship. He had branded as harassment the arrests made by the local police against him and other local candidates when they held a bingo game in a barangay.

Lim had promised to resign if Moreno would be able to prove that he ordered the arrests.

“There are subsequent orders coming from Chief of Staff (Ric) de Guzman and from Attorney Buan of Manila Barangay Bureau and other precinct orders from Manila Police District following the order of the local chief executive,” the vice mayor said.

Both phones of De Guzman could not be reached as of posting.

Isko to Lim: Be a man of word, resign

“Ngayon naman ay hinahamon namin si Mayor Lim  (Now, we are daring Mayor Lim) if he is a man of his word, narito ang pruweba, tingnan natin kung may isang salita siya o trapo lamang siya (here is the proof, let’s see if he can keep his word or he’s merely a rubbish politician),” the vice mayor said. 

On February 16, Lim addressed city employees and discussed Moreno’s arrest after the flag ceremony.

“‘Pag napatunayan mong utos ko ang pag-aresto sa iyo, magre-resign ako. ‘Pag hindi, ikaw ang mag-resign,” Lim told Moreno  (If you prove I ordered your arrest, I will resign. If not, then you resign.)

Moreno and 5 Manila city councilors were arrested after sponsoring a bingo game in Sta. Cruz, Manila. A scuffle broke out and the accused were brought to the Manila precinct 3. They were released after about 12 hours for lack of evidence.

Erap to Lim: Who’s lying now?

Estrada wants Lim to withdraw from the race after the documents proved that Lim lied about his involvement in the arrest of his running mate.

“Kung siya ay may palabra de honor, dapat tuparin niya ito. Kung hindi, walang sinuman ang maniniwala pa sa kanyang mga binibitawang salita (If he has a word of honor, he should keep his word. If not, what’s the point of running if no one else would believe him from hereon),” Estrada added.

Estrada stressed that his camp’s statements are based on actual government records.

“Kami ay nangangampanya po ayon sa mga issues na kinakaharap ng Maynila (We focus our  campaign on issues surrounding Manila),” Estrada stressed. “Ang dokumentong ipinakita ni Isko ay hindi isang intriga ngunit isang pruweba na kailangang sagutin ni Lim (The documents presented by Isko were not fabricated to spark intrigues but these are valid pieces of evidence that Lim should address).” -Rappler.com