Pasig City congressional candidate lawyer Christian “Ian” Sia on Friday night criticized Mayor Vico Sotto for inept leadership.

Sia, a former city councilor, claimed Sotto’s accomplishment was limited to cleaning drainages while leaving out critical infrastructure in his six years as local chief executive.

“Walang masama magyabang kung meron kang ipagyayabang. Pero kung ikaw ang ama ng lungsod na dapat lumulutas sa pinakamabibigat na problema ng lipunan, ang ginawa mo sa loob ng anim na taon ay maglinis ng mga imburnal sa Pasig, hindi kita papalakpakan (There’s nothing wrong with bragging if you have something to brag about. But if you’re the leader of a city who should be solving the most pressing problems of society, and all you’ve done in six years is clean the sewers in Pasig, I won’t be applauding you),” Sia said in a speech during the sendoff event of Team Kaya This on Friday night.

Sia said he would only commend Sotto if he had improved healthcare services, addressed the needs of persons with disability, provided door-to-door delivery of maintenance medicines to senior citizens, and sent more low-income students to college.

Ramped-up services needed

“Papalakpak lang ako kapag ang mga may sakit ay gumaling na sa Pasig, kapag ang mga PWDs [persons with disability] natin ay nakatanggap na ng kalinga, kapag ang mga senior citizen ay hindi na kailangan pang magpabalik-balik para makakuha ng kanilang mga gamot. At kapag ang bawat estudyanteng Pasigueño ay may garantiya na makakapagtapos hanggang kolehiyo (I will only applaud when the sick in Pasig have healed, when our PWDs (persons with disabilities) have received the care they need, when senior citizens no longer have to go back and forth just to get their medication. And when every Pasigueño student has a guarantee of finishing their education, all the way to college),” the congressional bet added.

Sia has also criticized Sotto for what he called a taunting and disrespectful gesture toward women after the local chief executive jokingly extended a handshake on air during the peace covenant signing at the Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish on Thursday, 27 March.

“Hindi ho madali ang maging kandidato. Wala kang 4 to sign the peace covenant, despite suffering from a mild flu.

“If you want a mayor who will be applauded, let’s try an Ate Sarah. And if you want a congressman who is brave and can stand firm, send Atty. Ian Sia to Congress — we won’t be disappointed,” Sia said.

DAILY TRIBUNE has sought comment from Sotto, through Pasig City’s public information office, to no avail.

“Maraming salamat po for trying to reach out to him on this! However, the mayor will not dignify such claims with a response na po. Again. Salamat po and happy weekend! (Thank you so much for trying to reach out to him about this! However, the mayor will not dignify such claims with a response. Again, thank you, and have a happy weekend!)” the city public information office said in a short response via Viber.