Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has called on Filipinos to rethink the culture of admiring ostentatious displays of wealth, especially when such affluence is linked to government officials and contractors benefiting from public funds.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Sotto responded to public outrage over social media posts and vlogs by alleged relatives of lawmakers and contractors who had secured billions of pesos in flood control projects.
Their content showcased luxury cars, designer goods, and lavish vacations, sparking widespread criticism.
“Kailangan nga pansinin natin yung mga ganoong kwento, mga ganoong pagkakataon. Gawin natin siyang hindi normal at gawin natin siyang hindi nakaka-inspire,” Sotto said.
The mayor emphasized that flaunting wealth—especially when connected to government contracts—should not be normalized or celebrated. Instead, it should prompt scrutiny and discomfort.
“As public officials we have a code of ethics. Ostentatious display of wealth is also bad regardless of the source… pero siguro yung mga nakita talaga natin na connected sa contractor, sila naman nag-post nun online diba? So bigyan natin sila ng atensyon kung gusto nila,” he added.
“Kailangan maging nakakadiri yung korapsyon. Kailangan hindi siya maging katanggap-tanggap.”
Sotto, who was previously honored with the Global Anti-Corruption Champion Award by the U.S. State Department, lamented how corruption has been normalized in Philippine society.
“I think, unfortunately, through the years, that’s really what happened. It’s become accepted, naging katanggap-tanggap siya sa ating lahat.”
He urged Filipinos to confront their complicity in this culture—whether through silence, tolerance, or admiration.
“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.”
While Sotto clarified that wealth itself is not inherently wrong, he stressed the importance of transparency and integrity in how it is acquired.
“Wala namang masama maging mayaman kung galing yan sa maayos na paraan, pinaghirapan yan, pinaghirapan mo o pinaghirapan ng pamilya mo yan, wala namang masama.”
But in light of recent controversies, he noted a shift in public consciousness:
“I guess with everything that is happening now, I think it’s all for the better. Napapaisip na tayo ngayon.”
“Kapag may nakita na tayo na pinagmamalaki yung travels, luxury cars, sa yate nagpa-party, mapapaisip na tayo.”
In response to the flood control contracts awarded in Pasig, the city government has formally requested data from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to assess whether the projects were reasonably priced and compliant with standards.
“Gusto namin tumulong sa pamamagitan ng imbestigasyon within our area of responsibility.”
“We want to do our part to help investigate if it will help at malaman natin yung katotohanan.” (RRN)
