Politics

Javi Benitez lauds Vico Sotto, pushes for more transparency in gov’t projects

Tuesday, September 09, 2025 at 3:10 PM

by Daniel Joseph Navalta

3 min read

• Negros Occidental Representative Javi Benitez praised Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto during the House Infrastructure Committee hearing highlighting their shared advocacy for good governance

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• Benitez said they are both part of Mayors for Good Governance which pushes for transparency accountability and service to the people

• He also called for contractors to fix defective projects at no extra cost stressing that taxpayer money should not be wasted on repeat payments

• Furthermore, Benitez expressed support for creating an independent commission to monitor infrastructure projects while urging citizens to stay active in holding government accountable

Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javi Benitez took to social media to share his admiration for Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, calling him a strong ally in the fight against corruption in government.

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Benitez, who also served as Mayor of Victorias from 2022 to 2025, posted about their meeting at the House Infrastructure Committee hearing. He highlighted their shared commitment as members of Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), stating: “It was a pleasure to meet Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto at today’s House Infrastructure Committee hearing. As fellow members of Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG), we stand united in our commitment to transparency, accountability, and a government that truly serves the people.”

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The young lawmaker further underscored his advocacy for protecting taxpayers’ money by calling out defective infrastructure projects. In a separate post, Benitez revealed that he had asked for a full briefing from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) covering projects from 2016 to 2025. He stressed that contractors should be held accountable: “After assessing those with reported damages, I made it clear: contractors must fix them at no additional cost to the government. Public funds are meant to serve the people, not to pay twice for the same work.”

Benitez also signaled openness to the establishment of an independent commission that would monitor infrastructure projects more closely to ensure greater transparency and accountability. He pointed out that safeguarding public money requires collective effort: “But accountability should not rest on public officials alone. We must all be active citizens not only on social media, but also in keeping watch over the programs, services, and projects that shape our communities.”

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Vico Sotto, whose full name is Victor Ma. Regis "Vico" Nubla Sotto, was born June 17, 1989 and is a Filipino politician serving as the mayor of Pasig. He joined the Aksyon Demokratiko party and was elected mayor of Pasig in 2019 and was re-elected in 2022. He was re-elected for his third consecutive term at the 2025 elections. His parents are actor-comedian-host Vic Sotto and actress Coney Reyes, with both of them supporting their son in his political endeavors.

As previously reported by KAMI, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto announced he will not run for any political position in the 2028 elections during his inaugural address. He said the early declaration frees him and allows him to focus fully on doing what he believes is right during his final term. Vico is now serving his third and final consecutive term as mayor, the maximum allowed by the Constitution. He reaffirmed his commitment to pursue reforms and policies for Pasig regardless of political consequences or popularity.