Celso urges Zamboangueños to emulate Sen. Lim’s values
Mayor Celso Lobregat urges residents to relive the values espoused by the late Sen. Roseller Lim, the only Zamboangueño senator, during a program marking the 4th Dia de Senador Roseller Lim Tuesday at the latter's monument in Normal Road. (JOEY BAUTISTA)
Mayor Celso Lobregat rallied all Zamboangueños yesterday to continue the values espoused by Senator Roseller Tarroza Lim, known during his time as the great filibuster, El Gallo Sulangkang y El Niño Bonito.
“The city is beset with numerous challenges and trials and holding on to the Roseller Lim ideals will make us more prepared to meet the adversities. Let us remain united and continue our efforts to keep our beloved Zamboanga and the entire country solid and strong,” Lobregat stressed during the commemorative program marking the 4th Dia di Senador Roseller T. Lim yesterday morning at the late senator’s bronze monument on Normal Road, Baliwasan, this city.
The celebration being held every February 9 of the year is based on Ordinance No. 283 dated August 17, 2006 and authored by Councilor Rudy Lim, nephew of the only Zamboangueño to have been elected senator, whose achievements and life-long striving for distinction, for freedom and democracy had brought honor to all Zamboangueños.
According to the mayor, Lim’s bronze monument serves as a reminder of the distinguished son of Zamboanga, who once served the Senate with dignity, pride and honor. “Since its unveiling last year, this monument has become an important attraction from which people discover his tremendous achievements and contributions.”
For four years now,” he said, “we stage a modest yet meaningful celebration to rekindle the values that our very own Senator (Roseller T. Lim) wanted every Zamboangueño to advocate. And so we stress on the values of strength, determination, patriotism, perseverance and sacrifice.” “These are the values that we need to be reminded of as Zamboangueños,” he added.
Sen. Lim can forever be remembered as the Zamboangueño public servant who divided the provinces of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte; who worked for the inclusion of the Philippines in the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Immigration Committee; who authored the Barrio Charter Law that changed the title barrio lieutenants to barrio captains; and the Zamboangueño who spoke endlessly for over 18 hours in Congress, earning him the title as the Great Filibuster.
Present during the program were Cong. Erbie Fabian, members of Sen. Lim’s family that included former vice mayor Roberto Lim and the senator’s daughter Rosamy, members of the City Council, City Hall department heads and staff, representatives of the different law enforcement units in the city, and students.
Last night, the Junior Chamber International (JCI Zamboanga Chapter) in coordination with the city government conducted the awarding ceremonies for this year’s Five Outstanding Young Leaders, who exemplify the virtues of Sen. Lim. (Vic Larato)