CITY Mayor Dan Neri-Lim has abandoned plans to avail of the city’s P240 million credit line with the Development Bank of the Phils. which could have been used repaid dilapidated road condition. Mayor Lim who is gunning for congressman under Vice-President Jejomar Binay’s United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) against Liberal Party’s incumbent Rep. Rene Lopez Relampagos of first district announced last week the plan to do away with the loan. He said he has already informed the DBP about his decision to pull out of the loan negotiation. In his recent radio program, Mayor Lim was quick to cite the ground why he was retreating from the loan application. The application was blocked by the minority of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. With the move, the opposition, some of whom were his former protégés,’ did not want the dilapidated roads and streets repaired, he said.

As if accusing his enemies in the city council, he said no less than Cong. Relampagos in tandem with Gov. Edgar Chatto, LP’s standard bearer for governor against UNA’s Carmen Mayor Conchita “Che” Toribio de los Reyes, were moving heaven and earth to block the loan. His decision to discard the loan application was to prove and dispel rumors peddled by his detractors that the money from the loan proceeds will be used for the election of his brother who is running for mayor. The minority block of the Sangguniang Panlungsod chaired by Vice-Mayor Jas Tirol-Montes, who is seeking reelection in tandem with Mayor Lim’s brother, Dr. Abraham Lim for mayor, has filed position papers urging the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to declare the city ordinance on bank’s loan of P240 million invalid. The so-called tyranny in numbers prompted the city council’s minority led by number one Kag. John Geesnell “Baba” Yap, a mayoralty contender, to elevate the loan ordinance to the provincial board.

They minority was defeated when loan ordinance was voted upon since they were only six --- Kagawads Yap, Anne Mariquit Oppus, Beniano Inting, Leonides “Edi” Borja, Edgar Bompat and Alberta Torralba while the majority mustered seven votes. The seven of the Lim’s camp who were in favor of the loan ordinance were Councilors Nerio Zamora II, Lucille Lagunay, Genesyl Balbin, Doni Piquero, May Liene Shaene Karaan, city SK federated president and Philipp Besas, ex-officio member as city Liga ng Barangay president. Tirol-Montes, as presiding officer, broke the tie and the loan ordinance was approved. The minority of the city council could have been the seven votes needed to quash the loan with the bank if only the city council recognized Taloto Barangay chairman Faro Cabalit, as a legitimate ex-officio member of the council.