Vico Sotto hits critics over premature campaigning claim

MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Friday disproved claims from a “confirmed troll account” that he is engaging in premature campaigning.

In a Facebook post, Sotto called out an allegation from an unnamed fake media account that he was putting up a campaign poster, saying it contradicts his stance of neither putting up posters nor engaging in attention-seeking acts.

“Nakakatawa lang naman siya, pero magandang halimbawa ng style nila na susubukan na lang nila tayong guluhin at lituhin. Kung ano-ano na lang sinasabi kahit walang sense, baka sakaling mag-mukhang may naniniwala sa kanila.” (It’s just funny, but it’s a good example of their style—trying to confuse and mislead us. They say all sorts of things, even if they don’t make sense, hoping that someone might believe them.)

“Sakto na lang din, kasi gusto ko talagang pag-usapan ang topic na ‘to. Parating kasing may nagtatanong tungkol sa mga posters at ‘premature campaigning’,” he continued.

(It’s just right because I really want to talk about this topic. People always ask about posters and premature campaigning.)

Sotto explained why he hasn’t put up any campaign tarps yet for the upcoming national and local elections, even though he is running for re-election.

“Kung maaalala ninyo, mula 2016 (konsehal), hindi ako nagpapakabit ng tarp bago magsimula ang official campaign period,” he said.

(If you remember, since 2016 (when I was a councilor), I have not put up tarpaulins before the official campaign period begins.)

“Sa March 29 pa naman ang umpisa ng official local campaign period,” Sotto pointed out.

(The official local campaign period doesn’t start until March 29.)

“Minsan excited lang ang ibang supporters, may nagpapagawa pa nga ng sarili nilang tarp, pero lagi ko silang pinakikiusapan na wag munang ipakabit habang hindi pa campaign period.”

Sotto also elaborated as to why some candidates already have their posters hanging.

“May matinding ‘loophole’ ang batas. Pinagtalunan na ito hanggang sa Korte Suprema. Ang sabi, dahil sa RA 9369, maaari lang ituring na ‘candidate’ ang isang tao kapag nagsimula na ang official campaign period (Penera v. Comelec, Nov. 2009). Sa interpretasyon na ito, wala nang maaaring maparusahan dahil sa ‘premature campaigning’,” he said.

(There is a significant loophole in the law. This issue has been debated all the way to the Supreme Court. According to RA 9369, a person can only be considered a candidate once the official campaign period begins (Penera v. COMELEC, Nov. 2009). Under this interpretation, no one can be penalized for premature campaigning.

He also stressed that campaign materials should never be posted on any public property.

Hanging such materials on private properties, on the other hand, must have permission from its owners, he said.

TAGS: 2025 elections