Manila mayor unfazed by criticism

Lito Atienza, 62, qualified as an architect and was a folk dancer before becoming mayor of Manila. After he became mayor in 1998 and again in 2001, the artistically-inclined leader embarked on a beautification campaign but was soon accused of tearing down some of Manila's historical landmarks.

He demolished the Jai Alai building, a historic landmark built during the latter part of the Spanish rule, to make way for court offices. It was where Manila residents watched jai-alai, a pelota-like ball game.

Former President Joseph Estrada donated the lot where the old Jai Alai stood, to Manila's local government, for the establishment of a Hall of Justice.

"We demolished the Jai-Alai building on the advice of an architect," explained Atienza, adding that he did not want the image of Jai Alai where bets were placed to interfere with the people's belief in the country's judicial system.

The project was shelved after Estrada's ouster by military-backed street protests in January, 2001.

Atienza also destroyed some two hectares of the old Aroceros Park, near Luneta, Manila's central park. It was part of a legendary botanical garden where Jose Rizal, the country's national hero, walked along with fellow revolutionaries and discussed poetry and politics.

The Winner Foundation, the country's environmental non-government organisation, said Atienza shut off the lungs of Manila with the destruction of Aroceros Park.

In defence, Atienza explained that the two-hectare park belonged to the education department and was donated for the use of teachers.

"With Manila's limited area, we have to maximise land use," he said.

Atienza was praised for getting rid of some 200 squatter families who have turned Manila's Roxas Boulevard by the bay into a "virtual public toilet".

He turned it into a promenade at a cost of P50 million ($943,396). He has placed benches where residents and tourists can watch the famous Manila sunset. But he was criticised when he allowed food stalls and installed colourful circular lights along the boulevard.

Atienza was also accused of erecting an "alienating concrete jungle" on top of Manila Bay, near the famous Manila Hotel. Detractors have called his concrete baywalk "infamous" for having taken away the sea from Manila's landscape.

Unfazed, Atienza said the baywalk has remained his flagship project in beautifying Manila.
At the same time, Atienza refurbished Plaza Miranda near Manila's famous Quiapo Church.