VW / Brig Gen Danilo Lim

By VR Samuel P. Fernandez, PGC, HA

Bro. / Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana paid tribute to VW Brig. Gen. Lim thus: “With the passing of General Lim, the country lost an esteemed leader, who valued public service above all else. His vision, which he carried through from his beginnings as a young officer in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to his later years as a civilian public servant, was to uphold good governance and lead by example. “As chair of the NDRRMC (National Disaster Rick Reduction and Management Council) and NTF (National Task Force) against Covid-19, I am grateful for General Lim’s support to our various inter-agency emergency response operations through the years.”

VW Danilo Lim’s mother lodge is Baguio Masonic Lodge No. 67. He was a dual member of MW Roberto Q. Pagotan Masonic Lodge No. 282 and an honorary member of San Mateo Masonic Lodge No. 319 and Bagumbayan Masonic Lodge No. 4. He was appointed Grand Pursuivant and member of the Committee on Works and the Committee on Environment and Disaster Preparedness by Grand Master Agapito S. Suan.

In an installation of officers of Bagumbayan Lodge No. 4, Bro. Lim said:

“As a fraternity, we have but simple goals. In addition to making good men better, we build confidence and leadership. And what better way to build confidence and leadership than to motivate members of our Lodge to aspire to be its future leaders, or even its Lights? / “Our aspiration should be to become officers of our respective Lodges. Our most ardent desire should be to discharge the duties of our respective positions with fervency and zeal; with skill and assiduity; with competence and passion.”

VW Danny Lim was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Makatarungan Class of 1978. While a plebe at the PMA, VW Lim took the entrance examination at the West Point Academy of the United States Military. After graduation from West Point, he came back to the Philippines and took the Scout Ranger course where he graduated on top of his class.

VW Danny Lim became involved in the People Power Revolution in 1986. He took part in a failed coup during the administration of former President Corazon Aquino In 1989. He was jailed for two years until he was released during the term of former President Fidel V. Ramos. On July 23, 2003, about 300 soldiers formed a new group called “Magdalo.” They took over the Oakwood Premier service apartments in Makati. This was an attempt to oust then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo over allegations of corruption. In November 2007, VW Lim with other military officials and soldiers, walked out of their trial for the 2003 Oakwood mutiny and laid siege at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. This resulted again in the incarceration of Bro. Lim. He was granted temporary freedom by the AFP in May 2010, and later amnesty by the administration of then President Benigno Aquino III.

Under the administration of Pres. Benigno Aquino III, Bro Danny Lim was deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Customs but resigned in 2013.

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Bro. Lim as MMDA Chairman in May 2017. Malacanang has expressed sympathy over the passing away of VW Danilo Lim, who as Chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) “prioritized the welfare of the employees by ensuring they receive accident insurance and other appropriate benefits, and envisioned the MMDA to be one of the most transparent government agencies that the public can trust.” Secretary Harry Roque, Presidential Spokesman intoned: “The Palace expresses its deep condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim xxx. MMDA Chair Lim served the Duterte administration with professionalism, competence, and integrity. He would be dearly missed.”

VW/Brig. Gen. Danilo D. Lim leaves us with the following wisdom:

“Although we are actually speculative Masons, our values and principles should always be operative. Through the beneficial influence of the values and principles of Masonry, we build ourselves into men of the finest character; into men who others will say are men of honor, virtue and charitable feelings – men to whom others might look for example and inspiration; into spiritual temples fit for the GAOTU to dwell in. “Yes, one of our aspirations is, or should be, to aspire to be models for the rest of the brethren to admire and imitate. Instead of being seen as wayward and naughty Masons, we should present ourselves as good men made increasingly better through the influence of Masonic tenets and precepts. “Every regular and upright Mason can be an officer of the Lodge – or better yet, one of its Lights, if not its Worshipful Master. I take pride in the fact that we choose our officers not solely on the basis of the depth of their pockets or the influence that they can peddle, but by the depth of their character, integrity and moral rectitude.”

WV Danny Lim lived his conviction, depth of character, integrity, and moral rectitude. A principled man, VW Danilo Lim stood his ground and remained undaunted by circumstances. Sleep, our beloved Brother, and take thy rest. Lay down thy weary head in the bosom of our Heavenly Father. Good night for now. Till we meet again.