A prominent practicing lawyer who was rehired by city hall as consultant came out swinging yesterday against his political tormentor when he issued a statement that he was not after the color of money when he accepted the thankless job. The celebrated tug-of-war between lawyer Lord Marapao IV and City Councilor Alexander Lim took another twist yesterday when the former declared: This is to remind Atty. Aleckoy Lim that I am not after the color of money and I am more than willing to continue to serve the city government without remuneration. Neither do I have any political ambitions. Kagawad Lim should know that my principles are intact.” With the approval of the 2014 budget ordinance restoring City Mayor John Geesnell Baba Yap's authority to renew contracts of consultants, the famous spat revived interest in city hall politics with Kagawad Lim playing the role of fiscalizer especially on matters involving the appointment of non-organic personnel.

Unfortunately for Marapao, it was his appointment which generated utmost interest from Councilor Lim. A resolution authored by Lim stripped Mayor Yap the authority the contracts of contractual workers paving the way for a protracted war of words between two popular lawyers. Even if the issue of authority was revoked then restored, still the heated exchange between the two just refused to die down with neither parties refusing to budge an inch. The resolution, which according to Marapao did not pass the usual committee hearing, was immediately voted by the opposing camp. As a result, basic services given by the city government, namely the 22 day care and 15 barangay health centers, Botika sa Katawhan and the City Health Office were hampered since the contracts of the teachers, pharmacist, and doctors were among those that expired on December 31, 2013 and could not be renewed while the resolution espoused by Councilor Lim was still in effect. The simmering conflict was made more telling when in a radio interview, Lim has sweepingly stated that all the consultants lack the needed qualifications. Lim even surmised that they were hired as political paybacks, enjoying taxpayers' money doing nothing.

In retaliation, Marapao countered that it was a resounding statement that there are no minimum qualifications for legal consultants outlined in the Local Government Code and being members of the Bar already qualifies them to serve as such. Moreover, the private lawyer said that hiring of consultants is an executive prerogative and no law requires them to furnish copies of their accomplishment reports to the SP. As for political payback issue, Marapao said that how can that be when he was the lead legal counsel for the Liberal Party for the first district of Bohol. Marapao challenged Lim to give up his salary since Councilor Lim was really insistent on being an elected public official as he has always rallied in his privilege speeches. Although Lim branded Marapao's dare not to receive his salary as SP member as immature, the private lawyer stood true to his word: he did not get his salary for the last four months. He stressed that “besides, it was highly misleading for Councilor Lim to say that I have already been paid by taxpayers' money. In truth and in fact, I have not claimed or received my honorarium for the entire duration of my contract last year. Atty. Lim better verify his facts first.”