Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday, June 4, decried alleged corruption in a city barangay, saying even benefits meant for persons with disabilities (PWDs) were being stolen.

Sotto clarified that he did not want to subject anyone to a “public trial,” but said he was compelled to release some disbursement vouchers linked to the alleged anomaly. He explained that speculation had grown following the suspension of Barangay Manggahan officials, and disclosure was necessary to prevent conflicting versions of the story from spreading.

Among the disbursement vouchers presented by Sotto was a transaction involving a P548,500 disbursement for supplies used in various drills.

Another voucher listed the purchase of Basic Life Support (BLS) and first aid equipment worth P589,485, but the total amount reflected in the document was only P566,423.30.

However, despite the amounts involved, the mayor said they could not find any proper documentation showing that the projects were actually implemented.

He also cited what he described as one of the most disheartening cases -- the purchase of wheelchairs. According to Sotto, the disbursement voucher indicated P249,800, but only P235,736.43 was released.

He then challenged barangay staff to show proof that any wheelchairs had actually been delivered, even if only a few units.

“Meron po ba rito kahit isang barangay staff o kagawad ang magsasabi sa akin na may dumating na wheelchair, kahit ilang piraso na galing sa pondo ng barangay? Meron po ba? Kasi may lumabas na pera (Is there even a single barangay staff member or official here who can tell me that wheelchairs were actually delivered, even just a few units, using barangay funds? Is there anyone? Because money was released for it),” he said.

“Pati taong hindi makalakad, ninakawan! Persons with disabilities ang ninakawan! (Even people who cannot walk were robbed. Persons with disabilities were robbed!),” Sotto stressed.

The mayor also disclosed that they had received reports alleging that personal expenses, including Meralco and Manila Water bills, as well as house rentals of some officials, were allegedly being paid using barangay funds.

Sotto noted that Barangay Manggahan has an annual budget of P130 million -- an amount that exceeds the budgets of many municipalities and cities across the country.

What makes the situation more difficult for the mayor, he said, is that some of those involved are personally close to him, saying, “Ikinalukungkot ko po ito. Hindi ko ikinatutuwa. Marami sa involved, kaibigan ko (I am saddened by this. It does not bring me any pleasure. Many of those involved are my friends).”

He added that he wished he had not come across the issue, but stressed that they could not simply ignore it, particularly as his administration has committed to ending corruption and extending good governance down to the barangay level.

“Ako na po ang hihingi ng pasensiya sa inyo habang inaantay natin na tubuan ng konsensiya ang iilan d'yan—na sila dapat ang humingi ng dispensa sa inyo at sila dapat ang managot at dapat sabihin nila sa tao na tatanggapin nila ang pananagutan (Allow me to apologize to you while we wait for those responsible to find their conscience. They should be the ones asking for your forgiveness, taking accountability, and telling the public that they are prepared to accept responsibility for their actions),” Sotto said.

“‘Yan na lang ang p’wedeng maging saving grace nila, kasi nagawa na—natapos na eh (That may be their only saving grace now, because what has been done is already done),” he added.

Despite being personally close to some of those involved, the mayor vowed to pursue the filing of appropriate charges against those found liable, even if apologies are made, to ensure accountability and prevent future officials from following the same practices.

The mayor also called on residents to choose their leaders based on integrity, competence, and quality of service rather than being swayed by patronage politics or a system base who appears "kind."

Recently, Sotto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparent and accountable governance, saying it will not tolerate anomalous activities and will take appropriate action regardless of position, even if those involved are friends.