Townmates of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairperson Danny Lim in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya mourned his death on Wednesday, about a week after testing positive for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“This is an extremely sad day for us as Malacañang confirms the death of a very close and good friend. One of Nueva Vizcaya’s proud sons (sic). MMDA Chairman Danilo Lim passed away today at the age of 65,” Governor Carlos Padilla said in a statement.

Lim publicly announced that he contracted the Covid-19 virus on December 29.

Lim’s service is notable and he “is an exceptional brave leader and a true down to earth and honest working man,” Padilla said.

“He will always be remembered for his principles and patriotism, truly an icon for all Novo Vizcayanos. May the perpetual light shine upon him, and may his soul, through the mercy of the Almighty, rest in eternal peace. You will be missed so much, Danny,” he added.

Lim was born in this town on June 2, 1955 and was the youngest among five boys.

He finished elementary and high school with honors in Solano.

He was in his first year at the University of the Philippines when he took the entrance exams to the Philippine Military Academy. He topped the exams.

He was a member of the Philippine Military Academy Makatarungan Class of 1978.

A retired brigadier general, Lim was MMDA chair at the time of his death. He was jailed at the Camp Crame in Quezon City from 2006 to 2010 for rebellion charges and attempted coup d’état.

After more than four years in prison, Lim was granted temporary freedom by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on May 31, 2010. CURRENTPH