By Perfecto T. Raymubdo, Jr.
PASIG CITY — A private individual has filed a disqualification case against Mayor Vico Sotto for alleged vote-buying before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In a press conference at Calle Preciousa Restaurant on Saturday (May 10), Atty Ferdinand Topacio said that he was never involved in any politician in any election before.
Atty. Topacio cited that Daryl Yap was wrong in destroying a candidate through the showing of the movie Pepsi Paloma rape case.
Atty. Topacio is the national chairman of the Citizens Crime Watch (CCW), which has just celebrated its 32nd founding anniversary.
He has no relationship to any politicians in Pasig City.
All the chapters of the CAC do not endorse any candidates.
Victor Baral is the complaining witness for vote buying against Mayor Sotto for distributing scholarship allowance on May 7, 2025 at the Tanghalang Pasigueno.
He was a former Pasig City Hall employee but he resigned.
He was one of the witnesses in the alleged vote buying incident.
“Pamimigay ng pera within the election” ban” since the Comelec imposed the 10-day ban,” Atty. Topacio said.
” Kasi may nga bagay na directly na magbigay ng pera. May nga bagay na nakakaimpluwensya ng boto, transfer o hire ng empleyado. Lahat ng bagay o pera na makaimpluwensya directly or indirectly even ang magpakain,” he added.
“Ang mga ayuda ay exempted at ipinagbawal 10 days before the election.
Burial at medical ang exemption kasi hindi mo alam kung kelan ka mamamatay. Kung lean ka magkakasakit,” Atty. Topacio said.
“Hindi saklaw ng exemption ang pamimigay ng student scholarship allowance ng city government na due noong Enero pa. Programmed na alam mo ng due since January,” he added.
“Bakit lump sum mo binigay within the 10-day. Oo namigay ng allowance na under the law, makaimpluwensya yan directly or indirectly sa kandidato,” Atty. Topacio said.
“Hindi ko sinasabi na guilty na si Mayor Vico. He is entitled to due process. Maghain na lang ng reklamo sa Comelec.
Natanggap kahapon May 9 ng Comelec ang ireklamo,” he added.
“Ipinagbigay alam sa proper agency, which is the Comelec, which is very serious against cases of vote buying,” Atty. Topacio said.
Napag-alaman ni Baral, a member of CCW, sa Facebook na may releasing ng school allowances for students.
He went to the Tanghalang Pasagueno and monitored the releasing of allowances of students which is within the 10-day election ban.
He resigned from the Pasig City Hall in February 2024.
There were announcements and pictures of the receipt of PhP7,500 by three Pasig students, among others.
There were release of public fund. The release was done within the 10 day prohibition ban.
The release of the money was lump sum as it was due since January 2025.
For disqualification against Mayor Sotto, as an administrative case and not yet violation of the Omnibus Election Code.
Baral was a former Pasig City Hall employee.
As an ordinary citizen, he supported Sarah Discaya.
As a member of CCW, he saw that there was a violation of the 10-day “total ban” on the alleged vote buying in the distribution of student allowances in lump sum amount on May 7, 2025.
Atty. Topacio stressed that being a supporter of Sarah Discaya does not change the fact and the law.
Atty. Topacio is also a journalist himself for 20 years and now a director of the National Press Club.
He assured Baral that he has nothing to fear about. ###
