Mayor Vico Sotto urges Filipinos to reject flaunting of wealth: “Basagin natin yun”
• Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has called on the public to challenge the "culture of corruption" by rejecting the admiration of extravagant wealth displayed by those connected to government projects
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• Sotto stated that the public flaunting of wealth by contractors' kin is a sign that corruption has become normalized in the Philippines
• He argues that such behavior is "uninspiring" and should be treated as unacceptable, regardless of the source of wealth
• To combat the issue, the Pasig City government has formally requested data from the DPWH to investigate the flood control projects within its jurisdiction
In a powerful statement against what he calls a culture of corruption, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has urged the public to stop admiring the brazen display of wealth by individuals tied to government projects.
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Speaking in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Sotto argued that such ostentatious behavior, particularly from the family members of contractors who secure multi-billion-peso government deals, is a glaring sign of a deeply-rooted and normalized system of corruption in the country.
The mayor's remarks come after a public outcry over resurfaced online vlogs and photos showcasing the lavish lifestyles of the children of some contractors.
These individuals, whose companies have reportedly won lucrative flood control projects from the national government, were seen flaunting luxury vehicles, expensive travels, and extravagant parties on yachts.
"Kailangan nga pansinin natin yung mga ganoong kwento, mga ganoong pagkakataon. Gawin natin siyang hindi normal," Sotto stated. " at gawin natin siyang hindi nakaka-inspire."
He stressed that a public official, and by extension, anyone who profits from public funds, has a code of ethics to uphold, and an "ostentatious display of wealth is bad regardless of the source."
Sotto said that if these individuals wish for public attention by posting their lifestyles online, they should be given attention, but as a form of condemnation, not admiration.
The mayor, who was recognized with a Global Anti-Corruption Champion Award by the U.S. State Department in 2021, lamented that over the years, many Filipinos have become desensitized to corruption, accepting that politicians and their associates will inevitably amass wealth while in office.
He believes the first step to fixing the problem is to challenge and dismantle this culture of acceptance. "Kailangan maging nakakadiri yung korapsyon. Kailangan hindi siya maging katanggap-tanggap," Sotto asserted, adding that a collective effort is needed to change this mindset.
“If we want to fix this, kailangan aminin natin na at some level, all of us are guilty here. Hindi ibig sabihin na may natanggap tayo pero ibig sabihin at some point, hinayaan natin. Pumayag tayo. I think that is the first step: to challenge that system, challenge that culture, basagin natin yun,” he further said.
Sotto also clarified that being wealthy is not inherently wrong, as long as the wealth is acquired through honest, hard work.
However, he encouraged the public to be more discerning and to question why some people feel the need to show off their riches, especially when those riches are linked to public projects.
In a move demonstrating his commitment to fighting corruption, the Pasig City government has filed an official request to the national government for more data on all flood control projects in the city over the past three years.
The city government aims to review these projects, which were reportedly not coordinated with local officials, to ensure they were reasonably priced and complied with quality standards.
"We want to do our part to help investigate if it will help at malaman natin yung katotohanan," Sotto said, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts between national and local governments to uncover the truth.
Mayor Vico Sotto has become a prominent figure in local government and a symbol of "good governance." He is frequently recognized for implementing policies that prioritize transparency, integrity, and public service. Over the years, Sotto has consistently taken a bold stance against practices and systems that he believes hinder government progress. His firm position on the issue of so-called "paid interviews" is seen by many as a continuation of his advocacy for accountability and clean leadership.
Recently, Mayor Vico issued a statement following his controversial remarks against media personalities who allegedly accepted payment from the Discaya couple. The mayor clarified that his intent was not to gain popularity but to initiate a discussion on issues that the media and government must address as part of improving the country. In the pilot episode of "Models of Manila," Sotto stated that the first step towards change is to acknowledge and accept a problem, even before demanding accountability. Media personalities Julius Babao and Korina Sanchez have vehemently denied the circulating allegations that they received payment from the Discaya couple in exchange for interviews.
Meanwhile, veteran journalist Arnold Clavio released a strong statement against Mayor Vico Sotto's remarks regarding the alleged "paid interviews" of Julius Babao and Korina Sanchez. Clavio challenged the mayor to provide solid evidence instead of making veiled insinuations or speculation. According to Clavio, the issue is not only a personal attack on Babao and Sanchez but also a threat to the credibility of the entire media industry. He clarified that he is not taking sides but is defending the journalism profession against damaging allegations and appealed for respect between the government and the media.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
