Mayor of Manila (1992–1998) In
1992, Lim beat six opponents in the election to become mayor of the city of
Manila. As mayor, he worked on a strong law and order program which lessened crime. Lim worked on some projects to improve the city's image which had been bad when he assumed office. He pushed reforms in the city government. His slogan was "Magaling na Lider, Disiplinado" (). Lim was re-elected in
1995. During his first two terms in office, he earned the nickname "Dirty Harry" for his tough anti-crime policies against suspected and convicted drug pushers, drug runners, and the city's red light districts, among others. He founded the
City College of Manila that would serve to complement
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
2001 mayoral elections Lim sought a comeback for mayor of Manila in
2001. However, he lost to incumbent Mayor
Lito Atienza, his former ally and vice mayor.
Senator (2004–2007) Kristie Kenney (4th from left) and some members of the Board of Regents and Administrative Staff of
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila|thumb|left Lim was elected to a six-year term as Senator in the
2004 election under
PMP and the banner of the
Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP). As a senator, Lim introduced legislation to bring back mandatory
ROTC, but this bill did not receive any co-sponsors.
Return as mayor (2007–2013) In
2007, Lim decided to run again for
Mayor of Manila. He won and defeated Atienza's son,
Ali Atienza; he thus gave up his Senate seat. Shortly after assuming office, he adopted the slogan
"Linisin, Ikarangal (ang) Maynila" (, hence the acronym
LIM). He ended the ban on holding rallies at Mendiola, which was initiated by his predecessor Lito Atienza, later modifying it by allowing rallies to be held there on weekends and holidays. He ordered the removal of all business establishments, including bars and restaurants, in the
Baywalk area along
Roxas Boulevard (also another Atienza project) in an attempt to make the area a "wholesome park for everyone", with an unobstructed view of the famed Manila sunset. He claimed that many of these establishments have no business permits and were selling liquor, which is a violation of applicable city ordinances. In December 2007, he told
MMDA Chairman
Bayani Fernando not to conduct its sidewalk clearing operations in Manila since vendors were allowed to sell on sidewalks for humanitarian reasons. He stated: "I jokingly told Chairman Fernando that they are welcome anytime but I cannot guarantee their safety. Their problem is how they will get out." On March 14, 2008, Lim's son, Manuel "Manny" Lim, and two other suspects were arrested in a hotel along Tomas Mapua Street in
Santa Cruz, Manila, by
PDEA operatives during a
buy–bust operation in
Binondo. Manny had in his possession of methamphetamine hydrochloride or
shabu worth . On July 17, 2008,
1st District Councilor Dennis Alcoreza filed
human rights complaints before the
Commission on Human Rights, against Lim and other officials of the city of Manila. Alcoreza accused Lim of a violent takeover of a slaughterhouse in
Tondo on July 11, and illegal dispersal of protest. Meanwhile, 24 councilors resigned from their posts as members and heads of the different committees, prompting a reorganization. The councilors unanimously denounced the violent treatment by Lim's Manila Police District (MPD) towards Alcoreza during the city government's takeover of the slaughterhouse. Lim resigned as head of Joseph Estrada's
Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) in August 2008, following an executive committee resolution by the PMP removing him as president of the party. He was replaced by Estrada, who is also the PMP chairman. In October 2008, he made
ROTC training mandatory for all students at the
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) and the City College of Manila (CCM, now the
Universidad de Manila (UdM)), both city-owned colleges. He was also credited for the establishment of
Santa Ana Hospital in
Santa Ana, Manila, which serves residents of
Manila's 6th district. Captain David A. Lausman|thumb|right Lim ran for reelection in
2010, with Vice Mayor
Isko Moreno as his running mate. Together, they defeated Lim's predecessor, Atienza, and his running mate,
6th District Councilor Bonjay Isip-Garcia. However, Atienza filed an electoral protest, citing discrepancies in the election returns and the consolidation and canvassing system. He later dropped his protest in January 2013. On August 23, 2010, former police officer Rolando Mendoza
hijacked a tourist bus full of tourists from
Hong Kong in order to make demands on the government about a case against him at the
Ombudsman that led to his dismissal from service. The government's failure to negotiate properly with Mendoza led to the killing of eight hostages and of Mendoza himself after almost ten hours of stand-off. Justice Secretary
Leila De Lima was tasked to lead an investigation on the incident and determine whose negligence led to the tragedy. Her committee, the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC), found out that there were lapses on the part of Lim that led to the failed resolution of the hostage-drama, thereby recommending the filing of administrative and criminal cases against him and other officials.
Malacañang, however, declared Lim's liability was neglect of duty and misconduct. But, according to a report conducted by the late DILG Secretary
Jesse Robredo that was released in April 2013, he was found to have been "administratively liable" for the incident. In
2013, he sought another term as mayor, with actor and 6th District Councilor
Lou Veloso as his running mate, but they were defeated by Estrada and Moreno, respectively. ==Later career==