MANILA, Philippines – Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto faces another graft case less than a month after the first one was filed over supposed non-distribution of one-time allowance cash allowance of P1,500 to City Hall employees on the 452nd founding anniversary of the city last month.
Among the respondents in the case were Elvira Flores, head of the city’s human resource development office; Jeronimo Manzanero, city administrator; and Josephine Lati-Bagaoisan, head of the bids and awards committee.
In the second complaint filed on July 30, private citizen Michelle Gonzales Prudencio alleged that Sotto, along with the other respondents, violated the government procurement reform act and the anti-graft and corrupt practices act by giving away “Araw ng Pasig” t-shirts instead of distributing the cash allowance. In turn, employees were made to sign acknowledgement receipts that they had already received the money.
Prudencio also questioned if the purchase of the shirts went through proper bidding process.
In July, Sotto was charged with his first graft case for allegedly giving a 100-percent tax discount to a telecommunications company.
Among the respondents were Melanie de Mesa, head of the Business Permit and Manzanero.
Ethelmart Austria Cruz, the complainant, accused the three officials of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service and dishonesty.
Sotto however just brushed aside the initial complaint.
Orionpost has sought for the side of Sotto but has not replied as of writing.
