Pasig Congressional candidate Sia slams Mayor Vico's leadership

Pasig City congressional candidate and former councilor Christian "Ian" Sia criticized Mayor Vico Sotto’s leadership on Friday night, accusing him of lacking significant accomplishments beyond drainage cleaning during his six-year tenure.

"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," Sia said in his speech during Team Kaya This’ send-off event.

Sia said he would only commend Sotto if he had improved healthcare services, provided better support for persons with disabilities (PWDs), implemented door-to-door medicine delivery for senior citizens, and expanded scholarship opportunities for low-income students.

"Papalakpak lang ako kapag ang mga may sakit ay gumaling na sa Pasig, kapag ang mga PWDs 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," he added.

Sia also accused Sotto of making a disrespectful gesture toward women, referring to an incident at the peace covenant signing at Sta. Clara de Montefalco Parish on 27 March, where Sotto jokingly extended a handshake on air.

"Hindi ho madali ang maging kandidato. Wala kang gagawing tama sa mata ng mga kalaban mo. May sakit ka na, tutuyain ka pa," Sia said.

"Hindi ko alam kung saan nakakuha ng moralidad itong kalaban namin. Pero sa kumbento ang itinuro sa amin, ang mga babae ay dapat igalang at mahalin. Mukhang nagkulang sa pangaral kaya puro kayabangan ang nakikita ko," he added.

Sia’s running mate, mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya, was unable to attend the event due to a mild flu but still visited the local Comelec office that afternoon to sign the peace covenant.

"Gusto nyo ng mayor na papalakpakan, subukan natin ang isang Ate Sarah. At kung gusto nyo ng congressman na matapang at kayang manindigan, ipadala nyo si Atty. Ian Sia sa Kongreso — hindi tayo mapapahiya," Sia said.

The DAILY TRIBUNE reached out to Sotto for a response through the Pasig City Public Information Office.

"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!" the office said in a short response via Viber.