A champion of transparency and anti-corruption initiatives, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is now a co-convener of the "Mayors 4 Good Governance (M4GG)" movement.
In a statement on Thursday, Oct. 12, the M4GG said Sotto has accepted its invitation to become a convener for the movement pushing for good governance among local and municipal governments in the country.
Sotto shared that he met and talked with Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, a fellow M4GG co-convener. According to the M4GG, Sotto shared his own anti-corruption objectives and innovative governance practices for Pasig with Magalong.
"It's always important to make time to learn from people who are more experienced than you," Sotto said.
Even before the official launch of the M4GG in August, Sotto had expressed his support for the movement and urged other mayors to join the cause.
He was one of only four mayors at that time from the National Capital Region (NCR) to sign the "M4GG Good Governance Manifesto," along with Mayors Ruffy Biazon of Muntinlupa , Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro of Marikina, and Joy Belmonte of Quezon City. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco later signed the manifesto.
M4GG welcomed the addition of Sotto to their roster of convenors, and expressed hope that his participation will result in more active developments for the movement.
Aside from Magalong, his other co-convenors include Quezon City Mayor Belmonte, Marikina Mayor Teodoro, Dumaguete City Mayor Ipe Remollo; Isabela City, Basilan Mayor Sithi Hataman; and Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte Mayor Rommel Arnado.
The M4GG is a movement that aims to rally mayors and political leaders to support and practice progressive politics in the country.
By signing the M4GG manifesto, mayors pledge to uphold "integrity and transparency; active citizen participation and empowerment; youth engagement, respect for human rights and rule of law; equitable development, responsible use of public funds and budget allocation; streamlining of services, integration of more advanced technologies; and strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs)."
At present, over 100 mayors in the country have signed the good governance manifesto.