Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Tuesday, March 22, contested the cyber libel case filed against him by Vice Mayor Iyo Bernardo, denying that his comments were libelous.
“Obviously I don’t think I said anything libelous...I didn’t post anything online, say anything online. That was in-person,” Sotto said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
Sotto said his comments during the flag-raising ceremony on Jan. 10, which was the basis for Bernardo’s case were mere responses to the complaints and allegations made by the vice mayor prior to the event.
In his speech, Sotto noted Bernardo’s lack of participation in city government activities and was unresponsive to his calls and messages.
“Sinabi ko sa kanya na sana kung mayroon siyang complaints, use the formal mechanisms of the city first. Use the local special bodies which he is actually a member of (I told him that if he had complaints, use the formal mechanisms of the city first. Use the local special bodies which he is actually a member of),” Sotto said.
Sotto maintains he “accepts criticisms wholeheartedly” and that they are part of his work.
On Friday, March 18, Bernardo filed a cyber libel case against Sotto. He said he filed the case because the flag raising ceremony was live-streamed and was posted on social media.
During the press interviews at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC), Bernardo said venues such as flag-raising ceremony should not be used for political agenda.
He also denied not attending to his duties as the head of the Pasig City Council.
Sotto said on Friday that he will wait for the notice from the Prosecutor’s office.
Read more: Pasig City Vice Mayor Bernardo files cyber libel case vs Mayor Sotto