Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto clarified on Monday, Oct. 16, that he will not endorse candidates in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) as part of the administration’s push against patronage politics in the city.

“Di ko naman sinasabi na masama magendorse o masama na may kasamang mayor ang kapitan, pero sa ngayon po, sa puntong ito sa kasaysayan natin, sa aking opinyon, [sa] pagpapakilala natin ng pagbabago, mas maganda po na ang mayor hindi muna magdadala ng mga kandidato sa barangay level. Ang mayor hindi po muna mageendorso ng mga kapitan o kagawad (I’m not saying it’s bad for a mayor to endorse a [barangay] captain, but at this point in our history, in my opinion, it’s better if a mayor does not endorse a candidate at the barangay level for now),” Sotto said.

He stressed that if the government truly wants to introduce progressive change in the city wherein they are “breaking the culture of fear and patronage politics,” they need to take an “extreme stance.”

This is to show that the barangays are “free” to conduct their activities and there is no “command from the executive office” in the city government, he added.

Sotto also noted that the public knows who his allies are and those who helped him during the local elections, saying that “in his personal capacity,” he is willing to help them. However, he cannot endorse them as a mayor.

He said that BSKE candidates are free to use “Giting ng Pasig,” the name of the alliance he campaigned under during the 2022 elections, since he does not own a trademark to it, citing Councilor Quin Cruz as the originator of the name.

However, he reminded the public that the use of “Giting” does not automatically mean the candidates or parties were endorsed by him or the city government.

‘Choose wisely’

Sotto urged voters to be wise in choosing their barangay officials in the BSKE.

He shared to his constituents how he processes his votes and discerns the candidates, saying if they are unsure of which candidate is “honest, efficient, or diligent,” he would personally pick the newer candidate or the candidate who has not spent so much money during the campaign.

“Mula sa national at barangay level, ang pinakamalaking red flag sa mga kandidato ay yung gumagastos ng ubod ng laki (From the national to barangay level, the biggest red flag in a candidate is when they spend an obscene amount of money),” Sotto emphasized.

He cautioned the public against candidates, especially incumbent officials, who conduct vote-buying activities and misuse funds meant for government services.

The BSKE will be held on Oct. 30. The campaign period will begin on Oct. 19 and end on Oct. 28.