Vico Sotto says spending too much on campaigns is 'biggest red flag' of candidates during election
As Filipinos exercise their rights of suffrage, many have their own criteria for electing politicians but Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto opts to vote for politicians who are new and do not spend too much money during the campaign period.
In a now viral video which earned more than 3.6 million views as of writing, Sotto clarified that it is easy to vote for an "obvious" candidate who has the integrity and competency as a leader. But if someone is unsured, the politicians said, "kung ako pipiliin ko nalang yung mas bago, pipiliin ko nalang kung sino yung hindi gumagastos ng malaki."
The 34-year-old city mayor also emphasized that spending too much on elections is one of the biggest red flags that voters must watch out for in candidates.
"Tandaan po natin na iyan ang pinakamalaking red flag sa mga kandidato, mula sa national hanggang barangay level, ang pinakamalaking red flag sa mga kandidato ay yung gumagastos ng ubod ng laki," he said.
Sotto continued, "Kapag nakikita nating namimili ng boto, kapag alam nating milyon-milyon ang ginagastos, ibig lang sabihin noon, lalo na kapag incumbent... kung nagpapamudmod ng pera bago mag-eleksyon, ang ibig lang sabihin noon pwede palang gamitin ang pera na 'yon sa mga serbisyo ng pamahalaan pero kinupit nila, para sa eleksyon mayroon silang pang gastos. 'Di natin alam magkano naiwan sa bulsa nila."
He concluded his speech with a reminder that voters should take note, especially in Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
"Simple lang po, huwag na po nating [gawing] komplikado pa, 'yan ang pinakaamalaking red flag na huwag nating kakalimutan pagdating sa barangay election.
Social media users then lauded the mayor's wisdom and said that this mindset is a must during the election.
"Tama Mayor Vico! Nawa'y dadami pa ang mga politiko dito sa ating bansa na maging kagaya mo sa prinsipyo at hangaring maka tulong sa ating mamamayan," one user commented.
"Napaka dali naman po siguro intindihin niyan pero bakit halos walang nakakaintindi at nakakaunawa pano pumili ng iboboto. Ang lakas pa ng loob magpost nong iba sa social media na 'yong mga nagbigay lang daw ang iboboto nila," another one chided.
Others reflected on what Sotto implied in the video.
"Yung iba sigurado sila sa pinagkaiba, ng magnanak4w sa hindi, sa matalino sa hindi. Pero mas pinipili nila ang nabigyan sila ng pabor at inaayawan nila hindi sila pinagbigyan. Mas pinipili nila yung, kaalyado ni ganto kahit alam nilang may bahid."
"Realtalk lang... malalaman mo ang serbisyo ng namumuno kapag sila na ay nakaupo!" another user commented.
Last 2021, Sotto was conferred by the US Department of State as one of the recipients of its International Anti-corruption Champions Award. The announcement for the award was made on the US State Department website on February 23.
The award, launched by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, aims to “recognize individuals who have demonstrated leadership, courage, and impact in preventing, exposing, and combating corruption.”
The citation for Sotto describes him 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.”
It also notes Sotto’s history in politics. “In 2019, Sotto, then a 29-year-old city councilor, defeated an incumbent mayor whose family had ruled the city for 27 years. Sotto’s prior work on the city council resulted in freedom of information legislation that allowed city residents to request documents without having to provide a justification—the first such law in the Metro Manila area.”
The US State Department also noted that Soto pledged to avoid kickbacks in awarding city contracts, established a 24-hour public information and complaints hotline, and mandated “the value of all city government contracts be reduced by at least 10 percent – a measure intended to reduce bribery in the contract awarding process.”