The recent statements issued by Mayor Alfredo S. Lim regarding Mendiola have led to a lot of people to ask a lot of questions. Probably the biggest question is: has he turned to the dark side, er, to the administration?

For context, read this Philippine Star report posted at ABS-CBN News.

I see the context as this: Fred Lim was a policeman who rose from the ranks. His assurance to Gloria Arroyo is just an extension, an assertion of his past experiences. Besides, as mayor, one of his duties is to ensure that peace reigns over the city. And since the Fortress is in Manila, that falls under his jurisdiction.

Besides, the Fortress is heavily fortified. The gate that was almost breached last May 1, 2001 is no longer a gate. I believe there is a standby force, ready to be deployed to the Fortress if needed.

As Manuel L. Quezon III has said, it is a cheap and easy guarantee.

Regarding his stand about rallies in Mendiola, it will surely not earn him pogi points from the Left; heck, there’s no love lost between the two. I think the law is on Lim’s side. Batas Pambansa 880 is still in effect, and since it is the law, Lim has no choice but to implement it.

My stand on rallies is simple: do it but do not cause inconvenience to others. I will defend your rights, but not at the expense of others. Also, rallies should be allowed to a certain limit. Rights should be exercised with responsibility.

The Left is fond of symbolism. Mendiola is just a road, yet it equates Mendiola to a symbol of freedom. You know, we can always rally at other places, but the Left insists on Mendiola. Here’s the problem with rallies: how can we be sure that we get our message across?

If you want a revolution, you influence the people. Inconvenience them, and see them turn away from you. People wouldn’t mind the inconvenience if you can influence them to agree to your cause; here, the Left has failed. This is their main problem.

As for Fred Lim, he has to seek balance between the right of the people to assemble and the right of others to be left alone in peace. I can understand Lim’s concern, since that part of the University Belt is prone to traffic jam. Four major roads converged on it – Mendiola, Azcarraga, Nepomuceno, and Legarda. These roads are not really that wide, and with the volume of traffic everyday, just close one lane and you’ll get a traffic jam. And the fact that there are several schools in the area makes things a wee bit complicated.

Although why not open one lane of Mendiola from the convergence point up to the next intersection? (In the map below, the area that I am proposing is marked by a red line, and terminates at the red box.) Maybe that stretch would be enough for rallies everyday, since Mendiola is not really a major thoroughfare as compared to Azcarraga and Legarda. Yes, that will put rallies closer to the Fortress, but as I have said, it is heavily fortified, still far from the Fortress, and they can always call for backup before a scheduled rally begins.

(Click on the image to enlarge.)

No, Lim has not turned to the dark side. He is just aiming at a balance. Maybe the Left should negotiate with him; who knows, he might open Mendiola entirely to rallies.