Roseller Lim was born to Antonio Lim and Mercedes Tarroza. He graduated from the Ateneo de Zamboanga High School as valedictorian in 1932. He earned his Associate in Arts (AA) program in History & law degree from Silliman University in 1940 and passed the bar the same year. He married Amy Mustafa Schuck of Jolo, Sulu and had five children — Rosamy, Mercibel, Victoria, Roseller Jr., and Amy.[4][5]
Senator Roseller Lim delivering a speech at the Senate
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 had to stand the entire time, leaning only on the podium on occasions. He only had water nearby to sustain him and was even prohibited from going to the comfort room; forcing him to relieve in his pants. Upon learning of Almendras' arrival in the session hall, Lim ended his filibustering after 18 hours and 30 minutes. Immediately after he was able to cast his vote for Rodriguez, Lim was carried out of the session hall on a stretcher due to exhaustion, only to find out later that Almendras voted for Marcos.[3]
Later career
When Marcos bolted from the Liberals to the Nacionalistas to run as president in the 1965 election, Lim supported President Diosdado Macapagal of the rival Liberal Party. When Marcos won the election, Lim transferred to the Liberals. In 1970, Lim was elected to the 1971 constitutional convention. In 1973, Marcos appointed Lim to the Court of Appeals.[3]
On March 16, 1982, President Ferdinand Marcos signed Batas Pambansa No. 183 creating the municipality of Roseller T. Lim in the province of Zamboanga del Sur (now in Zamboanga Sibugay) in honor of Lim.[7][8] A boulevard in Zamboanga City, which provides a view of Basilan Strait and the Sulu Sea beginning from the city proper to the industrial complex of the city, was named after the latter.
In 2006, the Zamboanga City Council designated February 9 as Día de Roseller T. Lim or Roseller T. Lim Day and a bronze monument was erected at the rotunda of Normal Road and the R. T. Lim Boulevard.
