NBI to investigate Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto; celebrities, netizens ask about actions regarding Koko Pimentel

• Netizens and celebrities were horrified by the decision of the NBI.
• The NBI added that they will also summon Senator Koko Pimentel for possible breach of protocols of his quarantine.

On April 1, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced that it had summoned Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto for his alleged violation of new law granting President Rodrigo Duterte special powers to deal with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The NBI stated that the young mayor supposedly disobeyed national government policies related to the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine imposed by President Duterte.

It can be remembered that Sotto urged the national government to allow tricycles in the streets, saying that their absence would have consequences on public health.

The mayor will be investigated for violating Section 6A of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act where it penalizes “LGU officials disobeying national government policies or directives in imposing quarantines.”

NBI added that Sotto will be given an opportunity to explain and defend himself as to why he should not be charged for allegedly allowing tricycles despite the transportation ban.

In a televised media briefing, Sotto confirmed receiving a letter from NBI and shared that it did not specify the violation he supposedly committed.

“Nakasulat lang, in parentheses pa, ibig sabihin ng e.g. di ba, halimbawa, example, e.g. continuous tricycle operation,” Sotto said.

“In the first place hindi totoo yun, noong sinabi nilang tigil tumigil kami.”

Celebrities and Netizens alike were horrified by NBI’s decision to investigate Sotto. Kapamilya star Janella Salvador reminded everyone to “vote wisely next time”.

This pandemic showed us how unbelievably embarrassing our government is.

Please. Vote wisely next time.

— Janella Salvador (@superjanella) April 1, 2020

DJ Chacha was in disbelief regarding the decisions of the government.

Puro kapunyetahan ang nangyayari sa paligid. Wag niyong ubusin ang pasensiya ng taong bayan.

— DJ Chacha (@_djchacha) April 1, 2020

Karla Estrada questioned as to why they are targeting those who are sincere and passionate about serving the people instead of those who should be really held accountable for their actions.

https://twitter.com/Estrada21Karla/status/1245318772715425792

Anne Curtis, Maris Racal, Bela Padilla, Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Bianca Gonzalez are just a few of those who tweeted about Vico Sotto.

People are getting sick, people are hungry, people are tired, people are scared. The main focus should be on the true enemy right now, which is COVID-19. I pray everyone can work together & concentrate on what TRULY MATTERS – the well-being & protection of the Filipino people 🙏🏼

— Anne Curtis-Smith (@annecurtissmith) April 1, 2020

positive na sukang suka na sa government. good people are outnumbered.

— Maris Racal (@MissMarisRacal) April 1, 2020

https://twitter.com/padillabela/status/1245300602021621760

Hindi ako nag mamarunong sa batas, pero sa opinyon ko, si Koko ang dapat ipatawag at hindi si Vico

— Angel Locsin (@143redangel) April 1, 2020

Wala silang mapag initan. Si mayor vico talaga? Kung sino pa may natutulong at maayos na sistema, siya pa kakasuhan? HANEP! Eh nasan na yung nagkalat ng virus sa makati med? So far kasi yun palang nagagawa niya. Ikalat ang virus. Mapapamura ka na lang pala talaga.

— Angelica Panganiban (@angelica_114) April 1, 2020

Like, seriously? Is it because he makes everyone else look bad at their supposed job?! Unbelievable. Pwede ba kayong magpaka busy sa ibang bagay?! Busy si Mayor. Tantanan nyo naman sya, please! Dami pa nyang gagawin. #OnlyInThePhils #ProtectVico pic.twitter.com/erOaKIpfHZ

— zsa zsa padilla (@zsazsapadilla) April 1, 2020

Let the working mayor do his job for his people, it was obvious he only wanted what is best for his constituents. #ProtectVicoSotto

— Bianca Gonzalez (@iamsuperbianca) April 1, 2020

This sparked questions from netizens as to why the government has yet to act regarding Senator Koko Pimentel who violated the quarantine guidelines by accompanying his wife to the hospital and failing to disclose that he was a COVID-19 PUI at that time. He later admitted to having the disease.

https://twitter.com/miriamgilles19/status/1245319388045041669

https://twitter.com/kelIyVEVO/status/1245290016567246849

https://twitter.com/werqishaxfierce/status/1245291465862856704

https://twitter.com/rannpanganiban/status/1245283684510347265

https://twitter.com/SheolStatic/status/1245308757090828295

NBI OIC Eric Distor then added that they will also invite Pimentel to explain himself after his quarantine for “possible violations of quarantine protocols”.