Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim portrays himself as a defender of justice, yet right now, he is one obstacle to righting a wrong. Ignoring the recommendations of experts around the world, Lim refuses to approve the transfer of Mali, the ailing and depressed lone elephant at the Manila Zoo, to a sanctuary.
In the face of a local and global call to action for Mali, why has the Manila government remained silent? How can the mayor and zoo officials deny this aging elephant a chance at a better life? Why are zoo officials—who have admitted that they are not elephant experts—resistant to allowing her to be relocated (at no cost to taxpayers) to a wonderful sanctuary where she can thrive and finally receive the veterinary care that she so badly needs?
True leaders exemplify progressive critical thinking. They don’t remain silent, much less simply hope that issues will just go away. Lim, who by most accounts is an intelligent man, is failing Mali, as well as all Filipinos who are rightfully appalled by Mali’s poor quality of life.
On his website, Lim goes so far as to paraphrase a quote by political theorist Edmund Burke saying that the only thing needed for evil to triumph is for all good men to do nothing. Yet he has said and done nothing for Mali.
—JASON BAKER, vice president of international operations,
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Makati City