Bohol Sunday Post | April 12, 2009

Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Lim issued a call for city residents to reject a climate of hate espoused by political partisans.

“Let us not be blinded by those who preach anger, disrespect and disobedience because it breeds a climate of hate,” the mayor warned.

Lim said that powerful forces are moving heaven and earth to create an atmosphere of confusion and fear in the city in preparation for their final objective to unseat him in next year’s polls.

The mayor expressed disappointment that there are people who would not hesitate to fan panic and hysteria if this will serve their political patrons.

“What manner of people would destroy the peace and order of a community just because they want their puppet to become city mayor?” he asked.

Lim said that the forces working to unseat him “by fair means or foul” are using “everybody and everything at their disposal” to smear him and undermine his administration.

The mayor however expressed confidence that the move will backfire because the people know the real story.

“They are more knowledgeable than we give them credit for,” he added.

Lim said that while most people acknowledge that the city government has accomplished so much in the last four years, his fiercest critics would rather have a city where there is chaos and criminality.

“Instead of asking people to cooperate for the sake of peace and order, they are doing everything to remove the structures that we have implemented for this purpose,” he added.

The mayor however made it clear that he will not allow what he called “dark forces” to foment disorder to undermine his leadership.

“If they want Tagbilaran to become a crime city to embarrass my administration, I also want peace and order to embarrass them,” he warned.

The mayor said that performance and solid accomplishments will always prevail over gimmicks and media mileage.

“If they think that the people can be deceived by black propaganda, they are in for a very big surprise,” he warned.

On Easter Sunday, Lim said the people should reflect upon the selfishness and sacrifices of Jesus Christ instead of glorifying the acts of those who crucified Him.

“They should learn the lesson from the empty tomb that no matter how hard you try, the truth will always come out,” the mayor added.

Lim urged the people, regardless of their religious affiliation to continue praying for a safe, peaceful, orderly and progressive community.

“The risen Lord will listen to the prayers of His people who want nothing except the triumph of truth, harmony, peace and prosperity,” the mayor added.