Lim’s son to media: Spare me from trial by publicity

Believing that he is being persecuted without due process by the media, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s youngest son appealed to journalists yesterday to give him a fair hearing.

Businessman Manuel Lim, accompanied by his lawyer, Mario Ongkiko, distributed copies of his one-page statement just before he was presented before State Prosecutor Nolibien Quiambao of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for selling and using methamphetamine.

Lim’s co-respondents are Ronald Pascual, alias Lito Hipolito, 38; and fireman Joel Sabado, 33. They were arrested during a buy-bust operation last March 14. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency personnel (PDEA) reportedly found in their possession 98.8 grams of methamphetamine or shabu worth P340,000.

He clarified that he is not asking for sympathy or support, but only for fairness. “I appeal to all and sundry to accord me that basic right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, as guaranteed by our Constitution. Please note that the PDEA still has to prove its case against me – in the same way that I have to prove my defense.”

He understands that his arrest gained the media’s attention, thus becoming controversial, because he is the son of Mayor Lim, who is known as the “Dirty Harry” of the country for his no-nonsense campaign against illegal drugs.

He knows about his father’s sentiments and believes that he said them as a politician. “I take exception to any insinuation that I expect the help of my father in my case. I am after all, already 44 years old, my own man, capable of tackling all adversities in my life. My father is totally irrelevant to my case, I wish his name would not be mentioned everytime my case is the topic.”

However, during yesterday morning’s press conference at the Villegas Hall of the Manila City Hall, the elder Lim said he issued his statements as a father and not as a mayor.

He said that when his eight children were still young, he told them that they should not act like children of other government officials who use their prominent parents’ influence to get them out of tight situations. Manuel is his sixth child from his late wife.

Manuel and his co-respondents were asked to submit their counter affidavits on Monday.