Lito Atienza 2010: Manila Needs Her Mayor Back

The Manila Elections has become more exciting andwork. Atienza would later decide on embarking on a
captivating as a lot of political heavyweights havebold journey as he seek a Parliamentary seat despite
thrown their hats into the battle of becoming the allhaving no financial support at all.Instead, Atienza relied
powerful Mayor of Manila. Among these politicalon his principles and support from his family and
heavyweights who joined the mayoralty battle forfriends which were enough to win him a seat in the
the city is former Mayor of Manila and DENRParliament at that time.
Secretary Lito Atienza and his Lito Atienza 2010His profession as a Parliamentary member of the
platform.Under his banner Lito Atienza 2010, theBatasang Pambansa started in 1984, representing the
former Mayor of Manila is staging a comeback bid atthen vast Congressional District of Manila which
the mayoralty seat after serving a full term as Cityinclude the districts of Paco, Pandacan, San Andres
Mayor and a brief stint as DENR secretary.Bukid, Sta. Ana, Santa Mesa. He was known as an
The former Mayor of Manila who holds the record asactive supporter of Sen. Ninoy Aquino and one of the
the only mayor who has served a full term, is one ofopposition stalwarts who convinced Cory Aquino to
the most well-loved leaders in the city's rich politicalrun for president. After Marcos was deposed during
history. Atienza has years of experience in publicthe People Power Revolution of 1986, the former
service, political will, wisdom, leadership stature andMayor of Manila was selected to organize the National
proven and unblemished track record which makesHousing Authority where he promoted affordable
him one of the anticipated and probable winner in thishousing for teachers and policemen. After a brief
coming Manila Elections.His resume can presentcareer at the NHA as General Manger, Atienza opted
volumes of achievements and innumerable completedto join the 1988 mayoralty race of Manila where he
projects that have benefited the city residentslost to his then rival Mel Lopez who was supported
particularly those who are impoverished. His politicalby President Aquino.Despite the loss, his spirit and will
career spanning for more than four decades now is ato serve was never defeated as he would later run
clear indication on how the former Mayor of Manilaand win as Vice-Mayor in 1992 and 1995.
has lived his life as a statesman, serving selflessly forIn 1998 Manila Elections, Atienza finally won mayoralty
the people.seat and placed his name in history as the only Vice
Atienza's early political career began in 1968 as theMayor who got elected as city mayor As the Mayor
leader of Democratic Youth Movement, (DEYMO)of Manila. Atienza was renowned for expressing his
wherein he became one of those who survived thestrong opposition in the reclamation of the city's part
infamous Plaza Miranda bombing during the Liberalof Roxas Boulevard/Manila Bay. The former Mayor of
Party's political rally in 1971.Since then, the formerManila was also able to improve and beautify much of
Mayor of Manila had been a staunch critic of theentire city's former tourist attractions along with the
Marcos administration. When the country was underlives and welfare of the city folks. Atienza also
the Martial Law, Atienza was arrested for his role asdevised major projects which were aimed to benefit
the leader of Metro Manila Jeepney Driversthe poor, the older citizens, women and children.
Organization, which was the first ever organization ofAfter serving full term as Manila Mayor, Atienza
Jeepney Drivers. Atienza fought against and exposedwould later serve as the DENR secretary under
several human abuses of the Marcos regime includingPresident Arroyo. As DENR secretary, Atienza
the proposed eradication of jeepneys plying thestarted massive effort to execute the ill- executed
avenues of Metro Manila as part of Imelda Marcos'Clean Air Act. Atienza also focused on giving a new
beautification drive.life to the country's rivers and lakes, partnering with
Despite voicing out his dissatisfaction with the Marcosseveral environment groups including the Laguna Lake
administration, Atienza held the position as BarangayDevelopment Authority and ABS-CBN Bantay
Captain for ten years after serving as a tanodKalikasan. He has also ordered the crackdown on
before which enabled him to hear the voices ofillegal logging operations in the countryside and has
ordinary people more. The former Mayor of Manilaalso ordered the closures of open dumpsites as part
later served as at the Information Office of Manilaof his drive in protecting our country's natural
City Hall under former mayor Ramon Bagatsing andresources.
later resigned due to conflict of principles and his