Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday filed a complaint against contractor Sarah Discaya before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for alleged overspending in connection with the May 2025 elections.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Atty. Romulo Macalintal filed the complaint before the Comelec Political Finance and Affairs Department in Intramuros, Manila.

Sotto said that, in Discaya's Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCE), she reported a total expense of P895,000 only for "stationary, printing and distribution of printed materials relative to her candidacy."

However, based on evidence attached to Sotto's complaint, it would appear that aside from the said expenses, Discaya made no declaration as to the digital advertisement purportedly paid by her or contributed to her, as well as her outdoor political advertisements or billboards.

Sotto likewise submitted screenshots of Discaya's digital advertisement, which purportedly showed that it was "donated by the Chicco Francisco family," which Discaya did not include in her SOCE. Another digital advertisement, which heavily circulated during the campaign period, showed that it was "paid by Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya," and yet it was never reported in Discaya's SOCE.

The mayor also claimed that Discaya "did not state in her SOCE any amount, whether as contribution or expense for her publicized meetings, rallies, or caucuses, as well as travel expenses which she certainly incurred in going to and from said gatherings.

Sotto also cited the posting of Discaya of her said political rallies and gatherings on Facebook and newspapers of general circulation.

The mayor alleged further that the allowable expenses of candidates cover contributions or donations in candidate's behalf and that the Comelec is empowered under Section 100 of the Omnibus Election Code to "assess and expenses based on prevailing rates in the locality and include in such assessed amount in the total expenses incurred by the candidate."

He said that "if the value or cost of Discaya's digital and outdoor advertisements will be determined after proper proceedings or upon an evaluation of the records of the Comelec, then a definitive finding may be had not only on the extent of Discaya's expenses in the 2025 elections but also on whether she has spent in excess of the maximum allowable contributions and expenditures."

Sotto has also filed a complaint-affidavit for perjury for allegedly falsifying in Discaya's declarations in her Certificate of Candidacy.

He questioned Discaya's declaration of her eligibility for the Office of Mayor of Pasig City, while still asserting her British citizenship through the use of her British passport after she filed her CoC.

Meanwhile, Sotto was also facing an election offence for alleged vote-buying in the 2025 elections which was filed by former Pasig City Hall employee Victor Barral

A source from the Discaya camp who refused to be named claimed that the filing of the complaint is meant to divert attention because the petition to disqualify Sotto is now moving and appears to have a probable cause already.

In a hearing on 5 January at the Comelec Office in Pasig City, Barral appeared, while Sotto still failed to appear but was represented by his legal counsels.

"With the submission of the Rejoinder-Affidavit, the instant complaint is now submitted for resolution," stated the minutes of the 5 January hearing signed by Hearing Officer Atty. Ronald Santiago.

Barral accused Sotto of vote buying through the distribution of student scholarship allowances just days before the 12 May elections.

The complaint stemmed from the distribution of financial aid to scholars from 6 to 8 May at the Tanghalang Pasigueño.