Roseller T. Lim was a Filipino politician who served as a member of the Senate and House of Representatives from 1949 to 1963. He was known as the “Great Filibuster,” after he filibustered for more than 18 hours in an attempt to prevent the election of Ferdinand Marcos as President of the Senate.
Born on February 9, 1915, in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Province, Philippine Islands, Lim was a member of the Nacionalista Party. In his first term in office, he authored the law that divided the province of Zamboanga into the provinces of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur. He won another term in 1953, this time as representative of the newly established Lone District of Zamboanga del Sur. Halfway through his term, he ran and won as senator in 1955, to complete the unexpired two years of the Senate term of Carlos P. Garcia, who was elected Vice President in 1953. Lim was instrumental in the election of the Philippines into the International Labour Organization governing body in 1957. He won reelection in 1957 for a full six-year term, but lost in his bid for another term in 1963.
In April 1963, Liberal Senator Ferdinand Marcos contested the presidency of the Senate against long-time Senate President Eulogio Rodriguez of the Nacionalista Party. The Senate was then composed of 12 Liberals, 10 Nacionalistas and two independents who caucus with the latter. Shortly before the Senate adjourned, Lim took the floor to buy time to wait for the arrival from the United States, of fellow Nacionalista Senator Alejandro Almendras.
Lim’s speech against Marcos’ candidacy lasted for more than 18 hours, making it the longest filibuster in Philippine history. During the entire 18 hours and 30 minutes that he spoke, Lim had to remain standing, leaning on the podium only when he had to. He was allowed to take only water, but was prohibited from going to the comfort room. As a result, he had to relieve himself in his pants.
After Lim’s historic filibuster, Senator Alejandro Almendras was driven straight from the airport to the Senate. As soon as it was announced that the senator was on his way to the hall, Lim ended his filibuster, and the motion to put the question to vote followed at once. As soon as Almendras had cast his vote, a stretcher was immediately brought to Lim on which he collapsed. He was carried out to a waiting ambulance and rushed to the hospital due to fatigue, hunger, and tension he incurred during his filibuster. When he woke up in the hospital later, he was told that Marcos was the new Senate President. Lim learned that Almendras betrayed them by casting his vote for Marcos.
Roseller Lim was married to Amy Mustafa Schuck of Jolo, Sulu and had five children — Rosamy, Mercibel, Victoria, Roseller Jr., and Amy. Although Lim’s political career was relatively short-lived, his contributions to the Philippines’ political landscape were significant. He was a man of integrity and a true public servant who dedicated his life to serving his country and his people.
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