A city mayor whose Sunday breakfasts include a never ending menu of harsh criticisms courtesy of Bohol's media powerhouse—DYRD-Bohol Chronicle combine, survived unmolested, if recent survey results were any gauge. For two years now, Mayor Lim was at the receiving end of media brickbats from the twin media outfit not to mention those verbal venom spewed out from what he termed as”basureros” who represent powerful political interest. Being used to tirades, it appeared that Lim graduated into one like having a teflon complexion, a reference to one who is not affected by criticisms.

When the smoke of battle cleared, Mayor Lim was like a genie released from the bottle when a survey result showed that he beat his mayoralty rival V-Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso by a mile. The score: 70 percent in favor of Lim while a measly 17% favored Veloso. Asked to comment, Mayor Lim yesterday said he was grateful after survey results showed that 70% of city residents prefer him as mayor. The results of the survey conducted by the Holy Name University (HNU) showed Lim with a commanding lead over who got the support of only 17% of the survey respondents while the remaining 13% said they either don't know who to vote for or are undecided.

“I am grateful to God for guiding me in what to do in the pursuit of genuine public service to the people of Tagbilaran,” the mayor said. He also expressed gratitude to God for the discernment to the people who preferred to appreciate his efforts instead of listening to the doomsayers. The mayor said he is truly grateful because the people chose to appreciate his programs and projects in the face of the most vicious personal attacks launched against him by his critics. Among other things, the survey revealed that residents gave the city government a high net satisfaction rating including a plus 62 for the efforts to ensure adequate drinking water, plus 37 for protecting life and property, plus 33 for protecting the environment, plus 30 for promoting investments, plus 24 for managing traffic and plus 12 for providing livelihood and employment.  The only blot was the minus 20 in the efforts for reducing graft and corruption. Lim pointed out that contrary to what his critics would like to imply, the minus 20 was for the efforts to reduce graft and corruption. “This is different from saying there is graft and corruption,” he added.

The mayor noted that not one of the respondents said they had first-hand experience of corruption so this is merely a perception. “This is the result of the constant barrage of negative publicity,” he added. Lim said the survey results vindicated him as far as his efforts in these concerns. He noted that the high rating for efforts to ensure adequate drinking water negated critics' claims that the water distribution system is a failure.  The high satisfaction rating for protecting life and property also refuted the allegations that Tagbilaran has become a “crime city”.  He said the plus 33 for protecting the environment belied accusations about environmental damages. Lim also expressed satisfaction with the plus 30 for promoting investments which similarly debunked the insistence of his critics that the business sector is against him. “The truth will really come out,” he stressed. At the same time, Lim said the 68% approval rating for ex-Vice Mayor Nuevas Tirol Montes showed that the people is solidly behind his program. “The figures are consistent with very minor differences, proving that the people are supporting our programs and not just the candidates,” he added. The mayor said that he is confident that the political base that is supporting his programs will also go for his other candidates particularly Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera and Councilor Oscar Glovasa.  “Any way you look at it, this is bad news for our opponents,” he added.