Jamayka Rhose Pascual

Disqualification charges have been lodged before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto for allegedly violating election laws related to the distribution of student financial aid.

Photo Courtesy of Metro News Central.

The complaint, filed on May 9, came from former Pasig City Hall employee and Citizens Crime Watch member Victor Barral.

Barral questioned the city government’s distribution of Php 7,500 in educational assistance to scholars on May 7, just two days before the local elections.

The release happened during the 10-day “ayuda” ban enforced by Comelec, which prohibits government aid disbursements from May 2 to 12 to prevent vote-buying and undue influence.

This restriction includes programs such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS), Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged (TUPAD), Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), and other similar financial assistance programs.

Barral’s legal counsel representative, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio emphasized that while the allowance came from a regular city program, the timing of its distribution fell under prohibited acts.

“This is a lump sum. It should have been released last January, but it was only released now. The releases happened within the 10-day ban on the release of public funds,” Topacio said in a press conference.

He claimed that the program was not among those specifically exempted from the election ban, which he said applied only to medical and burial assistance.

The case drew further attention when Barral admitted his support for mayoral challenger Sarah Discaya, raising concerns on the timing and motive behind the complaint.

Sotto immediately addressed the issue, clarifying that the scholarship program had received an official exemption from the Comelec on March 24. 

He highlighted that the financial aid was released by the city government and not by him personally.

“Taasan naman natin ang tingin sa mga kabataan. Alam ng scholars na hindi sa akin galing ‘yan,” Sotto stressed.

He then explained that reforms initiated since 2019 removed political attachments to the program, including mandatory event attendance and the inclusion of politicians’ names.

In a statement posted online, Sotto reiterated that the exemption had been granted and expressed disappointment over repeated political attacks against the city’s youth-centered programs.

“Ang mga staff naman ng Educ Department, nasanay na kasi sila sa akin na walang politika sa programa, kaya ni hindi na raw nila naisip kung anong sasabihin ng kalaban, kung meron man,” he emphasized.

Sotto also responded in the form of a parody song, conveying resilience and emphasizing that transparency would prevail.