Vico Sotto files election offense complaint vs. Sarah Discaya

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

In a complaint-affidavit filed before the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) in Intramuros, Manila, Sotto alleged that Discaya, his former rival for the mayoral post, violated Section 100 of the Omnibus Election Code by exceeding the allowable campaign spending and making untruthful statements in her Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCE) for the May 2025 elections. (Photo: COMELEC/Facebook)

MANILA – Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday filed an election offense complaint against Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya, a contractor implicated in allegedly anomalous flood control projects.

In a complaint-affidavit filed before the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) in Intramuros, Manila, Sotto alleged that Discaya, his former rival for the mayoral post, violated Section 100 of the Omnibus Election Code by exceeding the allowable campaign spending and making untruthful statements in her Statement of Contributions and Expenses (SOCE) for the May 2025 elections.

Sotto said Discaya’s SOCE declared total expenses of PHP895,000 solely for “stationery, printing and distribution of printed materials relative to her candidacy.”

However, evidence attached to the complaint showed no declaration of digital advertisements allegedly paid for by or donated to Discaya, as well as outdoor political ads and billboards.

“Notably, Discaya did not report a single centavo for the billboard site’s rental — be it an expense of contribution,” Sotto said.

He also submitted screenshots of a digital ad that indicated it was “donated by the Chicco Francisco family,” which he said was not reflected in Discaya’s SOCE.

Another ad that circulated during the campaign stated it was “paid by Cezarah Rowena C. Discaya,” but was likewise unreported, he added.

The campaign period ran from March 28 to May 10, 2025. Party-affiliated candidates like Discaya were allowed to spend PHP3 per registered voter. With 463,885 registered voters in Pasig, she could spend up to PHP1,391,655.

Sotto said allowable expenses include contributions made on a candidate’s behalf, and noted that Comelec is authorized under Section 100 of the Omnibus Election Code to “asses an expenses based on prevailing rates in the locality and include in such assessed amount in the total expenses incurred by the candidate.”

“Particularly, in this case, Discaya’s political advertisements proliferated during the months and days leading to the 2025 elections, hence, pursuant to its mandate, the Comelec may determine and asses such advertising expenses and to ascertain the same from its own records,” he said.

Sotto also filed a separate perjury complaint, questioning Discaya’s declaration of eligibility for Pasig mayor while allegedly asserting British citizenship through the use of a British passport after filing her Certificate of Candidacy.

He said he filed the complaints “as a concerned citizen, seeking only to preserve the integrity of the electoral system.”

Sotto was assisted by the Macalintal Law Office, led by election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, in filing the complaint.