Vico Sotto shrugs off vote-buying complaint

Metro Manila, Philippines - Reelectionist Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto on Saturday shrugged off claims that he had engaged in vote buying via the distribution of student scholarship allowances days before the May 12 elections.

Sotto faces a disqualification petition filed by Vic Barral, a former city hall worker, for releasing allowances for a regular scholarship program of Pasig City.

The complaint cites Comelec guidelines which ban the disbursement of cash assistance during the 10-day election ban in an effort to combat vote-buying schemes.

In response, Sotto made public a document showing that Comelec granted his prior request for an exemption for a number of the city's assistance programs, including allowances for scholars.

“Hindi naman siguro maitururing na ‘ayuda’ ang regular scholarship program,” Sotto said. “Taasan naman natin ang tingin sa mga kabataan — alam ng scholars na hindi sa akin galing yan!”

[Translation: The regular scholarship program is not considered 'aid'...Let's give higher regard to the youth — the scholars know that it's not from me!]

Sotto is aiming to extend his bid as Pasig mayor for a third consecutive term in the May local polls.

He is up against business woman Sarah Discaya who allegedly had ties to a company that once had a joint venture with a poll service provider Miru Systems Co. Ltd.