In what appeared to be the usual biting stuff City Mayor Dan Neri Lim was fond of dishing out whenever Gov. Edgar Chatto was the subject of conversation, this time, the fiery city executive made a formal offer to debate on any issue of public interest against his perennial aerial enemy. Aired over the airlanes during the mayor's radio program, “Sa Muto Lang” Lim dared “let's have an open debate to settle issues once and for all”.

The mayor's challenge was the latest twist in the rift between the top two officials which have triggered speculations that the mayor would be running against the governor in 2013. Lim said that he will answer all the issues raised against his management style in the same manner that he hopes Chatto will be ready to face the issues about his governance in his hometown of Balilihan. “It is not fair for his people to destroy and malign not only the mayor but also the people of Tagbilaran while he wants us to keep off Balilihan,” the mayor added.

Lim said he is confident that he can elaborate on the services that the city government under his administration has rendered to the people of Tagbilaran. “I wonder if (Chatto) can do the same for the people of Balilihan,” he added. The mayor pointed out that Chatto served a total of 22 years, two terms as mayor of Balilihan, two terms as vice-governor and three terms as congressman.   “All these years, Balilihan was under his scope of responsibility and governed by members of his family,” he added. Lim said that he would not have minded the criticisms if it was directed only at him and his leadership style and priorities. “But his paid hacks are now starting to attack not only officials but also people of Tagbilaran out of their frustration that no one is listening to them,” he added.

As mayor, Lim said he feels it is his obligation to protect his people from the insults employed by Chatto and his men. “If he really respects the people of Tagbilaran, he can order his mouthpieces to shut up or to limit their issues to me and my administration,” he noted.  Instead, the mayor said the attacks have been unrelenting and savage which only proves that the paid hacks are simply carrying out orders from Chatto. “No amount of denial can change the fact that these people are working for him and that they enjoy preferential treatment in the workplace because they are performing the task assigned to them,” he added. Lim said the debate he has in mind will provide equal opportunities to both of them with the people making the final verdict.

“The people will be the final judge so there will be no suspicions that the results are orchestrated and tampered,” he added. To prove that he is not after political mileage, Lim said he is willing to sign a public document that he will not run for governor if Chatto will face him in the public debate. Lim has constantly blamed Chatto for the daily barrage of negative issues over the airlanes by commentators identified with the governor. While the governor has consistently denied Lim's allegations, the mayor points to the fact that these commentators are working for the information of the Capitol. “If I was in his place, and if it is true that he has nothing to do with the negative attacks, these people would be jobless tomorrow,” Lim declared.  The mayor insisted, however, that everybody knows the paid hacks are only acting under orders.