The Manila Elections is expected to draw the most attention among other election hotspots as a lot of political heavyweights have thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the all powerful Mayor of Manila.Among these political bigwigs who joined the mayoralty competition 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 owns 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. Atienza boasts of having many 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 can present volumes of achievements and innumerable completed projects that have benefited the city residents particularly those who are impoverished. His political career which spans for more than four decades now, is clear evidence 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. Ever since, the former Mayor of Manila had been a tough critic and opponent of the Marcos administration. When the country was in the Martial Law, Lito Atienza was detained for his role as the leader of Metro Manila Jeepney Drivers Organization, which was the first ever organization of Jeepney Drivers. Lito Atienza fought against and exposed several cases of human abuse of the Marcos regime including the proposed abolition of jeepneys plying the avenues of Metro Manila as part of Imelda Marcos' beautification drive.
Despite airing his discontent 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 later worked 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 embark a bold journey as he seek a Parliamentary seat despite having no financial support at all. Instead, Atienza relied 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 well known as a supporter of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the opposition stalwarts who convinced Cory Aquino to run for president. After Marcos was booted during the People Power Revolution of 1986, the former Mayor of Manila was ordered to head the National Housing Authority where he promoted affordable housing for teachers and policemen.After a brief career as NHA General Manger, Lito Atienza would later 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 died as he would decide to run and win as Vice-Mayor in 1992 and 1995.
In 1998 Manila Elections, Lito Atienza finally won mayoralty seat and carved his name in the city's rich history as the only Vice Mayor who got elected as city mayor.Atienza was celebrated for expressing his strong opposition in the reclamation of the city's part of Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay. The former Mayor of Manila transformed and beautified much of the entire city's old and decaying 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 serving full term as Manila Mayor, Lito 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. Lito Atienza also paid attention 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 gone 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, Lito Atienza is the most competent and well-loved leaders of the city which makes him a formidable mayoralty bet.
-Joel Dumayog
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