Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has long been hailed as a breath of fresh air in Philippine politics — a young, articulate, and seemingly incorruptible figure who champions transparency, accountability and good governance.

From the start of his political career, he has stood out for his clean image and reformist brand, winning over not just his constituents but also observers nationwide who saw in him the hope of a new kind of leadership.

But no leader is above public scrutiny.

And in a democracy, especially one with a history of press suppression and political spin, leaders must be held to the same standard of accountability they often demand from others. Which is why Mayor Sotto’s recent decision to sidestep legitimate media inquiries has raised troubling questions.

DAILY TRIBUNE and Brabo, a local online news site, sought the mayor’s side regarding criticism raised by a contractor over details of the new Pasig City Hall building. This would have been an opportunity for the mayor to address the issue and clear the air.

Journalism, after all, isn’t just about praise and photo ops, it’s about asking tough questions and demanding answers, especially from those in power.

Instead, he declined an interview. Worse, he took to social media — not to explain the allegations, but to indirectly discredit the reporter involved by tagging him and suggesting bias.

He claimed the journalist had written 20 articles about Pasig, “16 of which were about the promises of his political opponents.”

The implication? That the media outlets are not to be trusted, and the reporter’s line of questioning was politically motivated.

This kind of response is disappointing — not because it’s particularly aggressive or explosive, but because it reveals a discomfort with fair criticism. It undermines the very principles that Mayor Sotto says he stands for. Journalism, after all, isn’t just about praise and photo ops, it’s about asking tough questions and demanding answers, especially from those in power.

There was a time not too long ago when public officials would threaten or harass the press for merely asking questions. To be clear, Mayor Sotto did not do that. But using his platform and his large social media following to cast doubt on the integrity of a journalist — without directly addressing the issue — sets a dangerous precedent. It flirts with the same populist playbook that weaponizes public opinion against the media.

If Mayor Sotto truly believes in good governance, he should be the first to welcome public scrutiny — even if it comes from reporters who may not always paint him in a flattering light.

Accountability is not a one-way street; it does not pause when questions become uncomfortable or when critics seem politically motivated. In fact, those are the exact moments when transparency matters most.

It’s easy to be righteous when the cameras are rolling and applause is guaranteed. The real test of leadership is how one responds when the questions are inconvenient and the spotlight isn’t as kind.

Mayor Sotto owes it to his constituents — and to the public image he has so carefully cultivated — to rise above defensiveness and recommit himself to the ideals of open, democratic governance. That includes respecting the press, even when it challenges him.