A disqualification case has been filed against Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto over alleged vote-buying tied to the distribution of school allowances during the election ban period.
Vic Barral, a former employee of the Pasig City Hall, formally complained to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), citing a May 7 payout of ₱7,500 to Pasig City scholars as grounds for disqualification. The release allegedly occurred within the 10-day prohibited period for the disbursement of public funds before elections.
Represented by legal counsel, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Barral revealed the filing during a press conference held in Pasig City on May 10. Topacio claimed the allowance payout violated election laws and emphasized, “bawal ang payout dahil may 10-day ban ng release of public funds.”
The case specifically questions the legality of the disbursement and implies that the financial aid may have been used to sway voters in favor of Mayor Sotto.
Mayor Vico Sotto swiftly responded to the accusation, maintaining that the funds did not come from him and were part of a long-standing city program. He also noted that reforms had already been implemented since his first term to depoliticize the scholarship program.
“Taasan naman natin ang tingin sa mga kabataan. Alam ng scholars na hindi sa akin galing ‘yan!” Sotto said. “Sa totoo, isa nga sa unang ginawa natin noong 2019 ay tanggalin ang mga requirement kung saan nagagamit ang scholars sa politika.”
He highlighted that the scholarship program no longer requires attendance at political events and does not bear the name of any politician.
Further complicating the case, Barral and Atty. Topacio later admitted they were unaware that Comelec had granted Sotto’s earlier request to exempt the cash allowance distribution from the election spending ban. This exemption could potentially nullify the complaint’s basis.
Barral also disclosed his political allegiance, confirming that he supports mayoral challenger and construction magnate Sarah Discaya. Critics have raised questions about the timing and motive behind the filing, given the petitioner’s declared partisanship.
Comelec has yet to announce whether it will move forward with the case. Meanwhile, Sotto’s camp expressed confidence that the issue will be resolved in their favor.