Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto countered on Wednesday, March 23, false claims on social media pertaining to a supposed rejection of permits for campaign activities of a national candidate.

In a Facebook post, Sotto said: “May mga gumawa ng kwento na hindi daw ako nagbigay ng permit, pero meron naman talaga. Mukhang HINDI sa nasyonal nagmula ang kwento kundi dito lang sa lokal. Sana honest mistake lang.” (There are stories being circulated that I did not approve a permit when I did. It seems that the story came from the local and not the national.)

He posted a photo of the approval letter from the Office of the City Administrator (OCA) for requests to hold a caravan and grand rally for the BBM-Sara Uniteam on April 3 at Metrowalk, Ortigas Avenue in Pasig City.

Beside the photo of the letter was a screenshot of a conversation, attesting to the granting of the permits, and an offer from the local government to provide security, medical, and traffic assistance.

Sotto said the false claim did not come from the organizers of the event.

The city administrator’s office automatically approves permits provided that the venue is allowed and there is an assurance of properly coordinated efforts for security, he added.

Sotto had previously stated that the OCA waives the fees of permits for national candidates who wish to visit and campaign in the city.

Pasig City implements a non-discriminatory policy for national and local campaigns in the upcoming elections, stressing it is within voters’ rights to conduct activities in support of their chosen candidates.