Alfredo Lim
Mayor Lim in 2008
23rd and 25th Mayor of Manila
In office June 30, 2007 – June 30, 2013
Vice Mayor	Isko Moreno
Preceded by	Lito Atienza
Succeeded by	Joseph Estrada
In office June 30, 1992 – March 27, 1998
Vice Mayor	Lito Atienza
Preceded by	Mel Lopez
Succeeded by	Lito Atienza
Senator of the Philippines
In office June 30, 2004 – June 30, 2007[a]
33rdSecretary of the Interior and Local Government
In office January 8, 2000 – January 20, 2001
President	Joseph Estrada
Preceded by	Ronaldo Puno
Succeeded by	Jose Lina Jr.
Director of theNational Bureau of Investigation
In office 1989–1992
Appointed by	Corazon Aquino
Preceded by	Jesus Antonio Carpio
Succeeded by	Epimaco Velasco
District Director of theWestern Police District
In office May 2, 1986 – December 21, 1989
Mayor	Mel Lopez Gregorio Ejercito
Preceded by	P/Brig. Gen. Narciso M. Cabrera
Succeeded by	P/Brig. Gen. Ernesto Diokno
Personal details
Born	Alfredo Siojo Lim (1929-12-21)December 21, 1929 Tondo,Manila,Philippine Islands
Died	August 8, 2020(2020-08-08) (aged 90) Manila, Philippines
Resting place	Manila North Cemetery,Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines
Political party	PDP–Laban (2018–2020) KKK (local party)
Other political affiliations	PRP (1992–1998) Liberal (1998, 2008–2018) PMP (1998–2008)
Spouse(s)	Amalia Santos ​ ​ (m. 1951; died 1994)​ Gemma Alivio
Children	12, includingCristina and Manuel
Alma mater	University of the East (BS,LL.B.) National Defense College of the Philippines(MNSA) Philippine College of Criminology(PhD)
Occupation	Police officer,politician,lawyer
Website	Official website
Police career
Service	Integrated National Police
Allegiance	Philippines
Divisions	Western Police District
Service years	1952–1989
Rank	Police Major General
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	林雯洛
Simplified Chinese	林雯洛
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Lín Wénluò Southern Min HokkienPOJ Lîm Bûn-lo̍k

Alfredo "Fred"Siojo Lim (Chinese:林雯洛;pinyin:Lín Wénluò;Pe̍h-ōe-jī:Lîm Bûn-lo̍k; December 21, 1929 – August 8, 2020) was a Filipino politician, police officer and lawyer who served as aSenator of the Philippines from 2004 to 2007, He also served as the 23rd and 25thMayor of Manila twice: first from 1992 to 1998, and again from 2007 to 2013.^[1]

Prior to entering politics, Lim was a policeman for three decades. During the administration of PresidentCorazon Aquino, he was appointed theDirector of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), serving from 1989 to 1992. In 1992, he was elected Mayor of Manila, serving for two consecutive terms. He then unsuccessfully ran for president in1998. Two years later, in 2000, he was appointed by PresidentJoseph Estrada as theSecretary of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).^[2]

In 2001, he ran again for mayor of Manila but lost to then-incumbentLito Atienza. In the2004 elections, he ran for senator and won. Three years into his tenure in the Senate, he resigned in order to run for mayor of Manila, which he won and served two consecutive terms from 2007 to 2013. He then lost the 2013 and 2016 mayoral elections to former president Estrada.^[3][4] In2019, both Lim and Estrada lost the mayoralty elections toIsko Moreno, who served as vice mayor during the two former mayors' respective terms.^[5]

Due to his tough stance against suspected criminals, Lim earned the nickname "Dirty Harry",^[6] and has been depicted numerous times in local action films within his lifetime.

Lim was born on December 21, 1929, at the Emmanuel Community Hospital alongCalle Manuguit, Tondo, Manila, to Rosario Siojo, aFilipina with Chinese ancestry from the Siojo family ofSan Miguel, Bulacan. His father, Alfredo Ko Lim Sr., returned to his hometownAntique. When he was in pre-school, his mother remarried and left him at theHospicio de San Jose. When he was in the third grade, he was put under the care of his maternal grandmother, Flora Valisno-Siojo. After his grandmother's death in 1943, he lived with hisgodmother, Dolores La'o-Conde.

He finished primary school as asalutatorian at the P. Gomez Elementary School in 1943. Lim graduated high school in 1948 at theFar Eastern University. He earned a degree of business administration in 1951 and a Bachelor of Law in 1963 at theUniversity of the East.^[7] In 1981, he finished his master's degree in national security administration with honours at theNational Defense College of the Philippines and pursued a Doctor of Philosophy incriminology at the Philippine College of Criminology where he graduated in 1996.

When Lim began work in the police in the 1952, one of his first accomplishments was arresting future senatorRobert Barbers for illegal possession of firearms. Then Manila Vice MayorJames Barbers, Robert's uncle, tried to negotiate with Lim to release Robert Barbers without charges, but Lim nevertheless proceeded to file charges. A decorated police officer, Lim earned around 400 commendations and 40 awards.^[7] During the late 1980s, Lim helped defend the government of then-PresidentCorazon Aquino, such as leading the retaking of government installations frommilitary rebels during one of the1987 coup attempts. After retiring from the police, Lim was appointed Director of theNational Bureau of Investigation, where he lobbied for more funding and pay increases for agents and other employees. Since regular agents had to be fairly half of the force's positions were vacant, and there were few takers because of the low salary. Lim also lobbied for the position of special investigator which was realized to complement regular agents.

In1992, Lim beat six opponents in the election to become mayor of the city ofManila. As mayor, he worked on a strong law and order program which lessened crime. Lim worked on some projects to improve the city's image which had been bad when he assumed office. He pushed reforms in the city government. His slogan was "Magaling na Lider, Disiplinado" (lit. transl. "Excellent Leader, Disciplined").[8]

Lim was re-elected in1995. During his first two terms in office, he earned the nickname "Dirty Harry" for his tough anti-crime policies against suspected and convicted drug pushers, drug runners, and the city's red light districts, among others.^[9] He founded theCity College of Manila that would serve to complementPamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.^[7] It was under his administration when the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center in Tondo was established in 1997.^[10] He resigned on March 27, 1998, to focus on his presidential campaign.^[11]

Lim ran a failed bid for the presidency as theLiberal Party nominee in the1998 election, garnering only 8.7% of the vote and finishing fifth in a field of eleven candidates.

In January 2000, his rival in the presidential election, PresidentJoseph Estrada, appointed him asSecretary of the Interior and Local Government. His stint was cut short when Estrada was ousted during thesecond EDSA Revolution the following year.^[12]

Lim sought a comeback for mayor of Manila in2001. However, he lost to incumbent MayorLito Atienza, his former ally and vice mayor.^[13]

Lim was elected to a six-year term as Senator in the2004 election underPMP and the banner of theKoalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP). As a senator, Lim introduced legislation to bring back mandatoryROTC, but this bill did not receive any co-sponsors.^[14]

In2007, Lim decided to run again forMayor of Manila. He won and defeated Atienza's son,Ali Atienza; he thus gave up his Senate seat. Shortly after assuming office, he adopted the slogan"Linisin,Ikarangal (ang)Maynila" (transl. Clean, Dignify Manila, hence the acronymLIM). He ended the ban on holding rallies at Mendiola, which was initiated by his predecessor Lito Atienza, later modifying it by allowing rallies to be held there on weekends and holidays.[15]

On July 16, 2007,Philippine National Police (PNP) chiefGeneralOscar Calderon asked him to revoke his ban to prevent militants from marching there. The PNP would recommend having protesters take their rallies to freedom parks. Calderon warned that if Lim will not change his position, the PNP will enforce the "no permit, no rally" policy.^[15] He ordered the removal of all business establishments, including bars and restaurants, in theBaywalk area alongRoxas Boulevard (also another Atienza project) in an attempt to make the area a "wholesome park for everyone", with an unobstructed view of the famed Manila sunset. He claimed that many of these establishments have no business permits and were selling liquor, which is a violation of applicable city ordinances.^[16]

In December 2007, he toldMMDA ChairmanBayani Fernando not to conduct its sidewalk clearing operations in Manila since vendors were allowed to sell on sidewalks for humanitarian reasons. He stated: "I jokingly told Chairman Fernando that they are welcome anytime but I cannot guarantee their safety. Their problem is how they will get out."^[17]

On March 14, 2008, Lim's son, Manuel "Manny" Lim, and two other suspects were arrested in a hotel along Tomas Mapua Street inSanta Cruz, Manila, byPDEA operatives during abuy–bust operation inBinondo. Manny had in his possession 100 grams (3.5 oz) of methamphetamine hydrochloride orshabu worth₱600,000 (equivalent to ₱902,795 in 2021).^[18]

On July 17, 2008,1st District Councilor Dennis Alcoreza filedhuman rights complaints before theCommission on Human Rights, against Lim and other officials of the city of Manila. Alcoreza accused Lim of a violent takeover of a slaughterhouse inTondo on July 11, and illegal dispersal of protest.^[19] Meanwhile, 24 councilors resigned from their posts as members and heads of the different committees, prompting a reorganization. The councilors unanimously denounced the violent treatment by Lim's Manila Police District (MPD) towards Alcoreza during the city government's takeover of the slaughterhouse.^[20]

Lim resigned as head of Joseph Estrada'sPwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) in August 2008, following an executive committee resolution by the PMP removing him as president of the party. He was replaced by Estrada, who is also the PMP chairman.^[21][22]

In October 2008, he madeROTC training mandatory for all students at thePamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and the City College of Manila (CCM, now theUniversidad de Manila (UdM)), both city-owned colleges. He was also credited for the establishment ofSanta Ana Hospital inSanta Ana, Manila, which serves residents ofManila's 6th district.^[23][24]

Lim ran for reelection in2010, with Vice MayorIsko Moreno as his running mate. Together, they defeated Lim's predecessor, Atienza, and his running mate,6th District Councilor Bonjay Isip-Garcia. However, Atienza filed an electoral protest, citing discrepancies in the election returns and the consolidation and canvassing system.^[25] He later dropped his protest in January 2013.

On August 23, 2010, former police officer Rolando Mendozahijacked a tourist bus full of tourists fromHong Kong in order to make demands on the government about a case against him at theOmbudsman that led to his dismissal from service. The government's failure to negotiate properly with Mendoza led to the killing of eight hostages and of Mendoza himself after almost ten hours of stand-off. Justice SecretaryLeila De Lima was tasked to lead an investigation on the incident and determine whose negligence led to the tragedy. Her committee, the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC), found out that there were lapses on the part of Lim that led to the failed resolution of the hostage-drama, thereby recommending the filing of administrative and criminal cases against him and other officials.Malacañang, however, declared Lim's liability was neglect of duty and misconduct. But, according to a report conducted by the late DILG SecretaryJesse Robredo that was released in April 2013, he was found to have been "administratively liable" for the incident.^[26]

In2013, he sought another term as mayor, with actor and 6th District CouncilorLou Veloso as his running mate but they were defeated by Estrada and Moreno, respectively.^[27]

From 2004 to 2007 during his term as a Senator, Lim anchored the public service radio programKatapat: Mayor Fred Lim at DZMM onDZMM. With his team onboard researcher Joseph Arcaya, Executive Producer Dingdong Marco, DZMM Station Manager Angelo Palmones, and attorney Rey Bagatsing, the radio program helped solve many unsolved cases which became the last resort of the victims of crimes not only in Metro Manila but the entire Philippines. He also anchoredAksyon Ngayon, also on DZMM, with Kaye Dacer.^[28]

In 2015, Lim returned to the radio airwaves as co-anchor ofKatapat at Karancho, 8TriMedia's morning commentary program aired onDZRJ-AM.

In the2016 mayoral elections, Lim ran again for mayor of Manila against the incumbentJoseph Estrada, who replaced him in 2013. He chose1st district congressman Benjamin Asilo and later5th district councilorAli Atienza as his running mate for vice mayor, respectively.^[29] He lost to Estrada by a margin of 2,685 votes.^[30]

Lim attempted another comeback as mayor and ran in the2019 elections, chasing a fifth non-consecutive term against Estrada again and his former vice-mayorIsko Moreno. This time, Lim had no running mate for vice mayor. However, he placed third and Moreno emerged as the winner in the three-way race of notable candidates. After which, Moreno sought the expertise of Lim to guide his new administration's efforts in revitalizing the city and combating corruption.^[31] Lim later appeared during the inauguration of the Flora V. Valisno de Siojo Dialysis Center at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center inTondo on October 24, 2019, which was led by Moreno. Named after Lim's maternal grandmother, it was the Philippines's largest free dialysis facility at the time of its opening.^[32]

Lim, when not under the banner of a national political party, used the "Kapayapaan, Kaunlaran at Katarungan" (transl. Peace, Prosperity and Justice) label, the party he founded to stand for election.[33]

On August 8, 2020, Lim died^[34] after having tested positive forCOVID-19 during theCOVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.^[35][36][37] He was confined in a government-run hospital inManila prior to his death.^[38] His remains were then cremated^[39] and on August 29, were inurned at theManila North Cemetery.^[40]

On August 15, 2024, theManila City Council passed a resolution declaring August 8 of every year as "Mayor Alfredo S. Lim Day."^[41]

Lim has appeared in films and television series. He was also portrayed by different actors in several films.

• Portrayed byRudy Fernandez in the 1977 filmAlfredo Lim: Sa Kamay ng Ibabaw.^[42]
• Portrayed by Ernie Zarate in the 1989 filmJones Bridge Massacre (Task Force Clabio).^[43]
• Portrayed byRamon Revilla Sr. in the 1989 filmTarget... Police General (Maj. Gen. Alfredo S. Lim Story).^[42]
• Portrayed byEddie Garcia in the 1995 filmAlfredo Lim, Batas ng Maynila.^[42]
• Portrayed by Lim (himself) in the 1997 filmBobby Barbers: Parak.
• Lim hosted the 1998 TV crime documentary drama series ofABS-CBN'sKatapat, Mayor Fred Lim, which was produced byABS-CBN News and Current Affairs
• Portrayed byCesar Montano in the 2013 filmAlfredo S. Lim (The Untold Story).^[42]

• Official website
• Alfredo Lim's Assets and Liabilities
• The Mayor's Page
• The Official Website of the City of Manila

• 1929 births
• 2020 deaths
• Burials at the Manila North Cemetery
• Candidates in the 1998 Philippine presidential election
• Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
• Directors of the National Bureau of Investigation of the Philippines
• Corazon Aquino administration personnel
• Estrada administration cabinet members
• Filipino politicians of Chinese descent
• Filipino police officers
• 21st-century Filipino politicians
• Filipino radio personalities
• Filipino Roman Catholics
• Liberal Party (Philippines) politicians
• Mayors of Manila
• ABS-CBN people
• Partido Demokratiko Pilipino politicians
• People from Tondo, Manila
• People's Reform Party politicians
• Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino politicians
• Secretaries of the interior and local government of the Philippines
• Senators of the 13th Congress of the Philippines
• University of the East alumni

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