The call to open a university run by the city government of Manila began during the term of Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson when Ordinance No. 4202 was approved by the City councilors on January 13 , 1960 . The history of PLMâ s conception started during the administration of the late Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson when he approved Ordinance No. 4202 on January 13 , 1960 which appropriated PhP one million for the construction of the university .