Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto Initiates Legal Action Against Former Election Rival
In a significant political development, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto formally lodged an election offense complaint on Thursday, February 19, 2026, targeting his rival from the May 2025 elections, Cezarah Discaya. The legal action comes amid Discaya's ongoing involvement in a controversial flood control projects scandal that has captured public attention.
Allegations of Campaign Finance Violations
In his detailed complaint-affidavit, Mayor Sotto accused Discaya of committing serious election law violations during the 2025 campaign period. The primary allegations center on excessive campaign expenditures and the submission of inaccurate financial documentation to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
"Considering the foregoing, I respectfully initiate this complaint to facilitate the exercise of the foregoing powers of the Comelec, in the greater interest of safeguarding the integrity of the elections and enforcing relevant election laws," Sotto stated in his official filing.
The mayor specifically charged Discaya with probable violations of Section 100 in relation to Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code, as amended by Section 13 of Republic Act No. 7166, concerning campaign spending that exceeded legal limits. Additionally, he cited Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code for allegedly making false material statements under oath in her Statement of Contributions and Expenses (Soce).
Detailed Financial Discrepancies Revealed
According to election regulations, Pasig City mayoral candidates were permitted to spend a maximum of P1,391,655 during the campaign period. Sotto's complaint highlights that Discaya reported only P895,000 in total expenses in her official Soce submission.
"The apparent under declaration of expenditures in respondent's Soce could only support an inference that respondent probably committed the offense of overspending," Sotto argued in his affidavit.
The mayor further alleged that Discaya failed to provide a complete and truthful accounting of her campaign finances. He pointed to significant omissions in her submitted documentation, including:
- No mention of billboard advertisements
- Absence of reported political rally expenses
- Unreported travel costs during the campaign
- Missing documentation for large outdoor advertisements promoting her candidacy
"After going through respondent's Soce, it would appear that respondent had omitted matters about her campaign contributions and expenses, and such omission would render the said Soce to be false in a material respect," Sotto emphasized.
Background and Current Context
The May 2025 election saw Sotto secure a decisive victory with 286,897 votes compared to Discaya's 24,163 votes. This legal action adds another layer to their political rivalry while Discaya remains detained at the Lapu-Lapu City Jail due to her alleged involvement in a multi-million peso anomalous flood control project.
Sotto's complaint represents a formal effort to address what he characterizes as election integrity concerns, potentially setting a precedent for how campaign finance violations are pursued in Philippine local politics. The case now moves to the Comelec for further investigation and potential prosecution.
