The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday presented evidence of alleged corruption involving suspended Barangay Manggahan officials, including supposed ghost projects and a wheelchair procurement that may have deprived persons with disabilities of assistance funded by taxpayers. The disclosure came days after Sotto revealed that Pasig City’s anti-corruption campaign had expanded beyond City Hall and into the village level, with some officials facing preventive suspension while investigations continue. Sotto said city investigators had gathered a large volume of documented evidence related to Manggahan and uncovered several disbursements that could not yet be supported by records showing the projects were actually implemented. Among the transactions cited by the mayor was a P548,500 disbursement for supplies for various drills. Sotto said investigators could not find proper documentation proving the drills had taken place. He also questioned a P589,485 payment for Basic Life Support and First Aid activities, saying the city government had yet to find evidence that the project was conducted. One of the allegations that drew the strongest reaction from the mayor involved a P249,800 procurement of wheelchairs. Sotto said investigators had not found records or witnesses indicating that wheelchairs purchased using village funds were distributed to beneficiaries. “Even people who cannot walk were robbed,” Sotto said. The mayor also alleged that initial investigations had encountered questionable expenditures involving utility bills, house rentals and other expenses charged against village funds. Sotto said the findings saddened him because some of those implicated were personally known to him. He said he wished the evidence had not surfaced but stressed that public officials could not ignore possible misuse of taxpayers’ money. The mayor vowed to pursue the cases regardless of personal relationships and said all those involved would still be given the opportunity to explain their side. Sotto said authorities would strictly follow due process in determining whether administrative, civil or criminal charges should be filed. He also urged residents not to rely on rumors, saying he decided to disclose portions of the evidence because speculation had grown following the suspension of village officials. The mayor said the city government would continue helping build the cases while ensuring that all proceedings follow the law.
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