By Mark Angelo Mañez

PHOTO: Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Biden administration recognized the leadership of Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, naming him as one of the 12 recipients of the International Anticorruption Champions Award launched by United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The US State Department described Sotto as a “standard-bearer for a new generation of Philippine politicians who prioritize anti-corruption and transparency initiatives in their election campaigns and in office.”


“Sotto has sought to solidify his reputation as a fresh voice with a new, more transparent approach to governance,” the department added.

Sotto first got into politics when he ran as a city councilor in 2016. After serving as a member of the Pasig City Council for three years, he joined the mayoral race and ended the 27-year dominance of the Eusebio clan. 

The award acknowledges individuals who have “demonstrated leadership, courage, and impact in preventing, exposing, and combating corruption.” 

Sotto's co-awardees are:

Ardian Dvorani of Albania

Diana Salazar of Ecuador

Sophia Pretrick of the Federated States of Micronesia

Juan Francisco Sandoval Alfaro of Guatemala

Ibrahima Kalil Gueye of Guinea in West Africa

Anjali Bhardwaj of India

Dhuha A. Mohammed of Iraq

Bolot Temirov of the Kyrgyz Republic

Mustafa Abdullah Sanalla of Libya

Francis Ben Kaifala of Sierra Leone in West Africa

Ruslan Ryaboshapka of Ukraine


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