Vico accused of bringing false hope

Congressional candidate Atty. Christian “Ian” Sia has challenged reelectionist Mayor Vico Sotto and his team to a public debate to address various issues in Pasig City.

“When I speak, you’re all silent. I challenge our mayor — let’s have a public debate, gather your team,” Sia said in Filipino during his speech at the Team Kaya This caucus meeting in Barangay Bagong Ilog on Tuesday evening.

Sia also criticized Sotto, claiming that no major infrastructure projects, such as school buildings, housing units, or a public hospital, were built under the current administration.

“I gave you the opportunity. There was a pandemic, okay, three years passed, and you didn’t do anything. But the pandemic is over, and you still haven’t done anything, yet you’ll fool us and claim you’ve done a lot. I will not stay silent,” Sia said.

“Tell me if there’s a hospital built, schools, or housing? What’s flowing in Pasig? False hope,” he added, referring to Sotto’s slogan “Umaagos ang Pag-asa” (Hope Flows).

“You’re all about appearances, and then you say we’re the arrogant ones. You’re really good at throwing accusations,” Sia said.

He also criticized Sotto for being selective when addressing building violations, particularly singling out Discaya’s St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp.

“To be frank, do you know how many buildings in Pasig don’t have occupancy permits? 30,000,” Sia said.

“How many did he go after? One. Who? Only Ate Sarah. What about the 29,000? What did you do? And then you say we’re the ones slandering you,” he added.

Sia also dared Sotto to file appropriate charges against the previous administration if they were truly corrupt.

“You also said that a former mayor was corrupt. The Eusebio family held power in Pasig for 27 years, if I’m not mistaken — did you file any cases? None, right?” Sia asked.

“You said St. Gerrard was associated with the Eusebios. So why didn’t you file a case? That’s ill-gotten wealth — take it back!” he added.

Sia also slammed the current administration’s poor healthcare services, claiming that some patients at the LGU-run Pasig City General Hospital are forced to sit on monobloc chairs due to a lack of proper facilities.

“But when I speak about how our patients are sitting on monobloc chairs, you say I’m slandering. Is that slander? I’m just telling the truth,” he said.

“When will this be addressed? After the election, when you’re back in power? This is your last term. When will you fix the problems of Pasigueños? So don’t silence me because I will not keep quiet,” Sia added. His advocacy is to help fellow Pasigueños who cannot leave the hospital because they cannot afford their bills.

Sia also criticized Sotto for what he saw as an act of “disrespect” when he shook hands in the air during a peace covenant signing because Discaya was unable to attend due to illness.

“Mayor, I know you’re listening. When you target Ate Sarah on your Facebook, you even call her dishonest. Isn’t that slander? She’s your rival. If she’s shaking hands with the president of the Philippines, would she shake hands with the air? No, right? Because that’s respect,” he said.

“But when you do something, it’s right, and when we do something, you say we’re slandering you. Is that double standard?” he asked.