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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Mayor Vico shares long-term reforms to fight corruption

Mayor Vico shares long-term reforms to fight corruption

Published Sep 10, 2025 11:30 am
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto shared on Tuesday, Sept. 9, some long-term reforms that could minimize the chances of corruption, following his attendance at the House of Infrastructure Committee hearing on alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto attends the House Infrastructure Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 9, for its probe into alleged anomalous flood control projects. (Santi San Juan)
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto attends the House Infrastructure Committee hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 9, for its probe into alleged anomalous flood control projects. (Santi San Juan)
He suggested the following reforms:
•Freedom of Information (FOI) or full disclosure of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPHW) documents, including Program of Works, Bill of Quantities, Detailed Unit Price Analysis, and bidding documents
•DPWH-LGU alignment and coordination
•Infrastructure/construction monitoring
•Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) accreditation process
Sotto acknowledged the importance of focusing on investigations into the current issue but hopes that, when the time is right, the proposed reforms to reduce corruption can also be discussed.
He added that “it is becoming increasingly difficult to discern the truth. There are powerful groups at play here; it's not as simple as we would want to believe.”
The mayor also cited evidence presented against DPWH engineers in Bulacan, noting that photos of money were powerful and indicating that similar issues may exist in other districts.
Related stories: 
https://mb.com.ph/2025/09/09/witness-hernandez-shows-photos-viber-messages-linking-estrada-villanueva-to-flood-control-projects-mess
He recalled that back in 2016 and 2017, he often told young people that, according to what he was hearing, supposedly 20 percent of projects were ‘SOP.’
“So ‘pag kinompute mo ay aabot talaga sa bilyon-bilyon. Madalas nun, parang di naniniwala ang mga nakakarinig. Ngayon, alam na natin. nakita na natin (When you calculate it, it really adds up to billions. Back then, many could not believe it. Now, we know. We have seen it),” he said.
“Nagigising ang taumbayan (The public is becoming aware). Widespread knowledge on the matter is the best first step in reducing corruption,” he emphasized.
“Whether you are a student, retiree, or anything in between, we all have a part to play. Keep pushing and keep demanding better,” Sotto urged.

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