Charles Teves
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto can’t get enough praise from the public following the United States’ Department of State’s recognition of him as one of the few global “Anti-Corruption Champions.”
The Senate on Monday adopted a resolution praising Sotto for achieving something Filipinos can be proud of.
The 31-year old attended the Senate plenary to receive the recognition.
Senator Panfilo Lacson, who authored and sponsored Senate Resolution No. 660, said he’d “not let this opportunity pass not to recognize a rare feat in public service.”
In his three terms as a senator, Lacson said this was his first time ever to author and sponsor a measure honoring a private or public individual.
“Pasigueños are fortunate that they have gotten themselves a leader who embodies wise thoughts, prudent actions and selfless intentions to advance the well-being of his constituents,” Lacson said.
“Pasigueños would easily agree that Mayor Vico’s transformational leadership has easily made the city (Pasig) even more livable, laudable, and to netizens — both young and old — lovable,” he added.
Vico’s uncle, Senate President Vicente Sotto III, can only hope that his nephew set a precedent that others will follow.
“Sana all taga-Pasig, sana lahat katulad ni Mayor Vico Sotto,” he said.
His nephew’s recognition “has brought optimism in a government where corruption is the norm, and goodness and honesty are the exceptions.”
“With all the negativities brought about by the global pandemic, this award has been a ray of hope not only for the Pasigueños, but all for the Filipino as well,” he added.
The older Sotto only sees a brighter future for the Pasig City Mayor.
“My dear inaanak (godson), I already knew from the start that you are destined for greater heights. Your journey is still long, and your tasks are many, if not endless. But with your unparalleled achievements, I’m certain that there is nothing you cannot accomplish,” he said.
Senators Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Manny Pacquiao, Risa Hontiveros, Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri all shared similar praises for Vico.
“Mayor Vico proved that age is not a hindrance for change. Ang kailangan lang po ay taos-pusong hangarin na mapabuti ang ating sambayanan” Villanueva said.
But the one that came from Senator Bong Revilla Jr garnered reactions from netizens.
“Thank you for being such an inspiration. I’m sure your father, Enteng Kabisote, is proud of you. Keep up the good work, nasa likuran mo kami” Revilla said of Sotto.
In December 2018, the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan acquitted Revilla of plunder but was required to return ₱124.5 million to the Philippine treasury.
In a majority vote, the court’s special first division ruled Revilla not guilty of earning P224.5 million worth of kickbacks through the pork barrel scam.
Netizens think it’s ironic for someone like Revilla to commend Sotto on his recent achievement, given his history with corruption.
Sen. Bong Revilla – Sana Ikaw ang una nyang Ma-inspire. Para ibalik mo na yung 124M.
— PurpleThread 🐉 (@ceebee_em) March 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/Alvinmoleramar1/status/1366307910637133827?s=20
https://twitter.com/EortAnj/status/1366316089014059010?s=20
https://twitter.com/aldehxde/status/1366344592342228992?s=20
Sen revilla, the acquitted/pardoned of plundering 124 m pdaf for below poverty threshold in the countryside must remain unrecognizable to co- senators by silence mode. There's a lot pinoy beneficiaries of the fund who are ignored. Disgusting !!!
— Nonoy tan (@tan_nonoy) March 1, 2021
Revilla is yet to return the millions of pesos to the government.
https://twitter.com/atreyu_falkor/status/1366336645759332354?s=20
NOW, STAY THERE AND DONT YOU DARE COME CLOSE, BUM REVILLA.
— aidz (@aidzgo) March 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/GalvanteWilma/status/1366360311872188416?s=20
