Senate Honors Vico Sotto: A Breath Of Fresh Air

The Senate adopted on Monday, March 1, a resolution honoring Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Nubla Sotto for being cited as one of the international anti-corruption champions by the US State Department on Feb. 23.

Adopted was Senate Resolution No. 660 filed by Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Senate President Vicente Sotto III, an uncle of the mayor.

In his sponsorship speech for the resolution, Lacson said Vico has set the bar high in public service.

“I have always emphasized that corruption is the social ill that sucks the lifeblood of our economy and distorts the principle of equal opportunity enshrined in our democratic order. Nevertheless, we find hope in the likes of Mayor Vico Sotto that the younger generation is represented by a public servant who exemplifies good governance, accountability, and integrity in the conduct of his duties,” Lacson noted.

“It goes without saying that he is not only a breath of fresh air in Philippine politics, but truly a bright beacon of our beloved fatherland,” he said.

Lacson disclosed it was the first time in his 16 years in the Senate that he authored a resolution to cite a private individual or public official, adding the Senate President was reluctant when he asked him to co-author the measure.

Lacson stressed he did not know Vico until he was elected mayor of Pasig City.

“It is that little, big thing called ‘sense of propriety,’ better understood by Filipinos as ‘delicadeza.’ All of us inside this hall as well as those attending online know that Mayor Vico is the Senate President's nephew, being his equally famous brother Vic's offspring,” Lacson said.

All senators were later made co-sponsors of the resolution before its adoption.

 “Pasigueños are fortunate that they have gotten themselves a leader who embodies wise thoughts, prudent actions, and selfless intention to advance the well-being of his constituents,” Lacson stated.

“Pasigueños would easily agree that Mayor Vico’s transformational brand of leadership has easily made the city even more livable, laudable, and to netizens, both young and old – loveable,” he said.

Since he won the mayoral race in 2019, Lacson emphasized Vico has been demonstrating his steadfast commitment to stop corruption by eliminating any kickback or bribery in the awarding of city contracts, establishing a 24/7 public information and complaints hotline, and formally involving civil society organizations in the city’s budgeting and policymaking.

The Senate chief said the mayor’s youngness is sometimes used against someone in the position as it is being equated to immaturity and inexperience, his nephew has proven otherwise.

Vico’s fresh and new policies led to the city’s saving of billions of pesos, a 140 percent increase in salaries of health workers, and regularization of contractual

workers who have been in such status for 20 years, the Senate President added.

“What he (Vico) has accomplished as someone who is relatively new in the political arena is truly impressive and laudable, to say the least. No wonder a lot would really say: ‘sana all.’”

The young mayor was also involved civil society organizations in the city's budgeting and policymaking, Lacson said, adding Vico mandated at least a 10 percent reduction in the value of city government contracts, a measure intended to reduce bribery in the contract awarding process.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri lamented that Vico is only 31 years old and could not yet seek a national post.

Senators Grace Poe and Manny Pacquiao also thanked Vico for his hard work and inspiring service that they hope would encourage more people to do the same.

On Wednesday,  Feb. 24, Lacson reiterated his hopes that emerging leaders who can run the country would have the same anti-corruption drive.

"At least we have good reason not to give up hoping for our beloved country. As one very successful businessman recently told me – for the longest time, our country is like a boat full of holes that doesn't sink only because we keep bailing the water out. Nobody has thought of bringing it to a dry dock for repairs," he said.

Vico was one of 12 individuals recognized by the State Department in its new "International Anti-corruption Champions Award."

The award honors those "who have worked tirelessly, often in the face of adversity, to defend transparency, combat corruption, and ensure accountability in their own countries."

The resolution also lauded Vico for his proactive and innovative approach amid the coronavirus pandemic. Pasig City is among the cities being eyed for the pilot rollout of vaccines by the Department of Health, being the first local government unit in the country to have an approved vaccination plan.

Sen. Joel Villanueva pointed out that "Mayor Vico is the first Filipino officially honored by the Biden administration,” but “what makes that award more impressive is that it is product of a global search.”

“Many were considered, but only a few were chosen,” Villanueva said.

Prior to his election as city mayor, Vico served as the youngest city councilor of Pasig. His stint paved the way to the enactment of a city ordinance concerning freedom of information.

Earlier, Vico joined the roster of the People of the Year 2021 Awardees for spreading hope, taking action and serving others, thus earning the merit as one of the seven The Outstanding Young Men or TOYM honorees of 2020.

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