Team “Giting ng Pasig” led by Pasig City Mayor and re-electionist Vico Sotto held a kick-off campaign rally on Friday morning, March 25, at the Pasig Mega Market, under a promise of progress and change.
Running in the upcoming elections with Sotto for vice mayor is Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr. and re-electionist Congressman Roman Romulo.
Sotto said he pursued his re-election bid in order to continue instituting systemic changes that would shift a culture of fear and corruption in the city into a culture of fairness and inclusivity.
“Ang pagbabagong tunay ay hindi po madali, hindi po mabilis. Ang tunay na pagbabago na hinahangad natin sa ating lungsod ay ‘yung pagbabago na malalim, na maaring ipamana sa susunod na henerasyon. Posibleng mamuno ng tapat, na walang korupsyon (Real change is not easy or swift. Real change that we long for the city is one that digs deeper, one that we may be able to pass on to the next generations. It is possible to lead with honesty, without corruption),” Sotto said.
He cited his advocacy against government malpractice involving syndicate groups and their affiliations and influences in past local government operations.
If re-elected, Sotto said he will enhance the health and social services programs that he has started amid the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the more efficient allocation of local government funds for community programs.
To ramp up the progressive changes in the city, Sotto also urged voters to elect colleagues and partners in government who are “trustworthy, goodhearted, have integrity, came to politics with the right intentions, and whose principles are aligned in terms of cleansing the government from corruption.”
Jaworski Jr. said he will support and continue Sotto’s programs, saying he believes in just leadership, cooperation, and a unified Pasig.
The team’s councilor slate for District 1 include: Mark Gil “Volta” Delos Santos, Roderick “Eric” Gonzales, Raymund “Kiko” Rustia, Paul Roman “Pao” Santiago, Paul Senogat, and Simon Romulo Tantoco.
For District 2: Noel “Buboy” Agustin, Quin “Kin” Cruz, Maria Luisa “Angelu” De Leon, Marion “Mato” Martires, and Corazon “Corie” Raymundo.
Jaworski Jr.’s wife Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, and Sotto’s parents, Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes, also attended the event.