Mc Richard Paglicawan
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday filed election-related complaints against businesswoman and contractor Sarah Discaya before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), citing alleged violations during the 2025 midterm campaign period.
Sotto personally lodged the complaint before the Political Finance and Affairs Department of Comelec, accompanied by his election lawyer, Atty. Romulo Macalintal. The two were rivals in the last local elections.
“I think it’s clear and blatant violations of election law. In fact, I don’t want to do this, but we want everyone in Pasig City to abide by the law. You need to obey the election laws,” Sotto told reporters.
In his complaint, Sotto charged Discaya with alleged violations of Section 100 in relation to Section 262 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), as amended by Republic Act No. 7166, for campaign spending beyond the amount authorized by law.
Under RA 7166, candidates with a political party may spend P3 per registered voter in their city or municipality. Discaya, according to her certificate of candidacy, was nominated by the political party Unyon ng mga Gabay ng Bayan.
Based on Comelec data, Pasig City had over 463,000 registered voters in the 2025 elections. Sotto computed that Discaya’s maximum allowable campaign expenditure should have been around P1.39 million.
However, Sotto alleged that Discaya’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) declared only P895,000 in expenses, reportedly covering “stationery, printing and distribution of printed materials relative to candidacy.”
He questioned the absence of declared expenses for large billboards, digital advertisements, rallies attended by well-known personalities, and related travel costs.
“It would appear that respondent omitted matters about her campaign contributions and expenses and such omission would render the said SOCE to be false in a material respect,” Sotto said in the complaint.
In addition, Sotto filed a separate complaint before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office for alleged perjury under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, claiming Discaya made false statements under oath in her SOCE and allegedly misdeclared her citizenship.
“Dahil siya po ay British, dual citizen. Tapos sinabi niya na hindi. Tapos ginamit niya pa ‘yong passport niya pagkatapos ng filing of COC,” Sotto said.
Asked why he filed the case only after the elections, Sotto explained that he intentionally avoided pursuing disqualification proceedings before voters cast their ballots.
“Tingin ko naman ito ‘yong tamang timing. Before elections, ayaw ko talagang mag-file ng kahit anong disqualifications kasi ang gusto ko [ay] tao ang magdesisyon,” he said.
“Baka sabihin, politically motivated kung before elections ko ginawa. Pero ngayon, tapos na ang panahon ng politika, tapos na ang eleksyon—panalo ako sa eleksyon, para sa akin, ito ‘yong tamang pagkakataon para gawin po ito.”
He emphasized that the move is meant to send a broader message about compliance with election laws.
“For me, this is a statement for Pasig City to follow the laws,” he noted. “Anyone eligible and qualified can run but they should follow the law. Or else, they will be held liable.”
As of writing, Discaya’s camp has yet to release an official response to the complaints.
