Mayor Vico to corrupt city hall employees: 'Walang kai-kaibigan dito'
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto reminded all city hall personnel that they cannot invoke the friendship he has with them if he finds out that they are engaged in corrupt activities.
During the flag-raising ceremony at the Pasig City Hall Quadrangle on Tuesday, Nov. 28, Sotto disclosed that an entrapment operation was conducted last week involving an employee from the Office of the Building Official who asked for a bribe of P15,000 from a client.
He said that the employee happened to be his friend and even recommended his employment at the city hall.
“Pinapakita po natin sa lahat na walang kai-kaibigan dito. Kapag may ginawa kang krimen, pasensiya na (We are showing everyone that friendship is not an excuse; when you commit a crime, we're sorry, but you're responsible for what you did),” Sotto said.
He added that there is also an ongoing case involving employees from the Office of General Services-Motorpool Division.
He called on the employees involved to compromise and cooperate with the city government so that they would only be served with an administrative case.
The mayor stressed that for four years, he had been warning city hall employees not to engage in anomalies and corruption.
He said his goal is to end his term with a city government that will remain honest and render the best service to the public.
“H'wag po ninyong kalimutan na hindi po ako normal na mayor. Hindi pulitika ang tinitignan ko… Ang goal ko lang pagkatapos ko bilang [maging] mayor, mas maayos ang iiwan kong LGU, mas mahirap nang maging kurap (don't forget that I am not just a normal mayor. I'm not looking at politics... my only goal after I [became] mayor is to leave the LGU in a better state where it is hard to commit corruption),” he added.
Sotto also mentioned the theory of change that aims to change for the better, as he said that corruption is already embedded in Pasigueño's culture.
He added that corruption is a problem that can not be solved in just a year. He encouraged the employees that, as public servants, everyone should do their part to change this kind of culture.
Sotto proudly shared that most of the employees who used to engage in corrupt practices have already stopped.
He said that they are now aligned with the principles of good governance which is what he aims for Pasig City.