Mayor VICO SOTTO talks about flood control, fighting systemic corruption and exposing the media

Hello! Welcome to the very first episode of Models of Manila podcast, the number one podcast in the Philippines. It's just the first episode, but it's already number one. Anyway, I'm your host, Mark Gamboa, and our very first guest, a very special guest. I've been an idol for a long time, of course, he needs no introduction. He's always in the news, and he's always talked about. The Mayor of Pasig City,

Mayor Vico Soto. Hi Mark! Hi to the viewers, listeners. I didn't know that this is the first episode. Yes, this is the first episode. It's an honor that you chose me as the first. Of course, of course.

The first episode should be special. First, we have podcasts with them. But this time, I'm alone. Models of Manila podcast. Before we start the interview, I want to say, I want to thank Mayor Vico. Because my journey as a YouTuber, my videos started to grow. Six years ago, after you won your first term as mayor.

It was very new.

May 2019. Yes. Before that, I was just starting to do YouTube. Then, that video, after you won, that's where it started to grow. Then, it followed. The vico series, that's what I called it back then. And that's where my career as a YouTuber started

and it's been 6 years and this is still my job so thank you so much and those 6 years, you didn't let us down and what we were expecting from you back then you lived up to our expectations and hopes Thank you Mark, That means a lot.

But my question to you is, do you remember when we first met in person?

Of course! Yes, on Radio Pilipinas.

Yes!

I went to Mayor Vico's place in Visayas Ave. I think for an interview. I had a radio interview back then. But at that time, you already watched my first episodes, right? I saw some of them. some of them were sent to me I was also curious about your channel

So at that time we met I watched some of your videos I remember before I met you I went to your office and brought a Bico

I remember that

I don't remember that but I remember the first time we met It was in Hagdanan. Yes, in Hagdanan. I was there. 6 years ago. It was 6 years ago. A lot happened.

This is still your career. And of course, Mayor Vico, you're going on your third term as Mayor of Pasig City. During the last elections, Mayor Vico, I knew you were going to win, but I didn't expect that you would have that much of a lead. I think you had 350,000 votes, and the disqualified had 29,000, and I think there were no 30,000. Did you expect that you would

have that much of a lead?

To be honest, Mark, I don't know what to expect in those times. From the time I ran from councillor to three fights with the mayor, I don't know. I don't know what to say. Don't count your chickens before they hatch

Yes, before

That's a bad saying I'll erase it, just kidding I don't know what to expect I think if in the middle of the campaign period if you ask me if I think I have a chance or not my honest answer would be

I think I have a chance I think I have a chance or not, my honest answer is yes, I think I have a chance But there are also surveys, right? I don't really get surveyed, actually I don't get surveyed And the surveys that come out, I really don't believe it For me, it depends on the methodology, it depends on who did the survey. So I didn't see anything, especially at the local level. At the national level, you can still see something that's credible.

At the local level, I'm a bit doubtful. That's just my personal opinion. So I feel that the advantage is that the machinery is big, you can see how much they spent.

Do you have a ballpark figure? machinery, you can see how much they spent.

Do you have a ballpark figure of how much they spent in the last election?

Just an estimate, of course we can't...

I have an estimate, but it's okay, I don't want to say it because it's just hearsay. I don't want to say numbers that are kind of invented. I want to be sure. But it's not going to be below B. Let's see. Later I can tell you. I'm just guessing. They'll be the only ones who can know The numbers are different, their taunt What other leaders say is Our boss is ready to spend this much, can you do this? They have that kind of taunt

Not themselves, but their people have that kind of taunt That's different But if you spent that much and you got the vote, that's it? But for me, my problem with their style is that it goes back to the old system that has already passed. We know why that's bad, the cycle. Maybe there's nothing wrong in spending per se, but it's the cycle that's wrong.

This is a cycle of corruption, because other people who want to enter politics know that you can earn this much, this is the percentage there. So they know now how much the investment becomes. The campaign becomes an investment. And of course, if you have an investment, you're expecting a return on your investment. ROI.

You need ROI. Even the smart ones are forced to go to war. There are also those who think, okay, I'm smart, I want to do the right thing, I need to spend like that, Where else can I get that? That's what becomes a trap, a vicious cycle or negative cycle, a bad cycle in our politics. Politics, when you govern, it's bad.

In Pasig, not in terms of growth, but we were able to cut it. We were able to cut it, we were able to cut it off It was cut off, that cycle was over And now, in 2025 or 2024, when they started They want to go back to that, it's already over That's what frustrates me, especially in the middle of the battle What is this? I strongly believe in Pasigueno.

I know that Pasigueno is a man of wisdom, he thinks, he has discernment. But of course, if you're in the middle of a battle, there's nothing certain. It's also hard to be overconfident, right? If you're overconfident, you can't see your blind spot, you can't see that you have a weakness.

We all have weaknesses. There's no such thing as perfect. There's no 100% power. There's no 100% setting in the world, especially in politics. So, you can't be overconfident so for me, if you ask me, do you think you have a chance? do you think you're far? as far as possible, I don't think about it I just want to continue my campaign

I'm always high gear, high octane I'll do my best, in line with the alternative politics that our group is pushing for. You won't have a big expense, but if you win, we will use the people's energy 100% for the people, for a good service. We will not confuse the people, we will not go back to the old ways.

We will fight this even if it's hard. That's our thinking. We will explore that later. But in the Diskaya, you can see the foolishness they're doing. I know that because you're against politics, you're holding back. But what was your reaction to the President's zone when he released the corruption in flood control? And when he released the list, it was top 3.

Top 2, top 3. If you include them, they might be number 1 they were just divided at least 9 companies at least 10, that's a lot. What was your first reaction? first, you're right, because I'm an opponent in politics

I was a bit cautious there are things that I want to say but I know it will be dismissed as politics or political statement Others will say, no, because if I don't have inside information, that's what I think That's why he's saying that because he's an enemy of politics. What I'm saying about their taxes, which are lacking, misdeclarations, city level and BIR level,

if I said that during the campaign period, others will think it's political. So I waited. I said, okay, I'll just participate in the campaign. Of course, there's something you can't avoid in politics.

There's a little bit of a job. But I didn't use my bullets in the campaign period. I didn't say everything I know about them during the campaign period. We just focused on the game plan, on the message to the people. I didn't use my bullets against them during the campaign period.

But now, as you said, the President is speaking. Angry. We don't see the President angry, but he's really angry with the government. Angry, yes. We need to take advantage of the fact that while the President is the one who is looking, let's expose this. This is true. There needs to be an answer. And for me, in the end,

sometimes, us Filipinos, it can be good or bad, but sometimes, we're not... we're kind. You're quick to forgive. In a way, it's good, but there's also in a way it's good

but there's also an aspect that it's not good because we're not confrontational if you're mad at your workmate you won't confront him you'll make him hear you, you'll destroy him behind his back

we have that kind of... Not all of us, but let's admit it, we have that kind of tendency. We're not confrontational. But in the field of governance, in our government, in our government, this is probably the right time to be confrontational.

Not just because we want to make noise, not because we want to make an issue, not because of anything else, but we need to answer so that it won't happen again. Because if

those who do bad things, they have a thick face. It also depends on where it comes from. I mean, you might misinterpret what I'm saying. I mean, theft, the corruption in the government, it starts from the smallest. It all started with a small amount. The ghost projects that we see today worth billions, the substandard projects that kick back, or that give a kickback that reaches a million billion,

it didn't start with a billion peso project. It started with a small amount. Maybe it just cut 100 pesos. Nothing big. I always say, everything good or bad that is big starts with something small.

The big things of tomorrow start with little things today. Good or bad? Let's start fixing it. Let's make sure that there's a case, that the evidence is complete, that there will be a prisoner, a responsible person. What are the stages of corruption? What are the styles or what are they doing? Because everything that comes out is substandard.

It's not just the rivers, that's how it comes out. A lot of places in the Philippines are coming out now. St. Timothy, the project is substandard, the proyekto, kulang yung bakal, so ano yung mga narinig nyo ba na ginagawa nila para maka korakot ng ganong kalaki? Yung detalya hindi ko naman kayang sagutin kung ano yung mga detalya sa ginagawa nila. In other fields, if you say SOP, Standard Operating Procedure, that's what you should follow.

Step A, Step B, Step C, it's standard. If you're an engineer, you have SOP. If you're an engineer, you have SOP. If you're an accountant, you have SOP in your job. It's sad that in the government, the word SOP, the standard, is corruption. That's the standard. The percentages, Senator Ping Lackson's breakdown is good.

And Mayor Magalong also. Mayor Magalong also.

Mayor Magalong has been very vocal about it. I'm happy to be a member alongside him of M4GG.

The percentages they're saying are clear. Although I think an important point to make is that of course those differ, it varies. It doesn't mean that there's a breakdown, like 30% of this, 10% of that. But it depends on the level of greed, as Senator Ping said. Because the President has seen something, it's really a ghost, he used a ghostly term so if the project is just ghostly, it means that it was split 100% and if he saw something, it means that they split it less than 100%

so let's not make it complicated, it's just that simple that's what I want to ask Mayor Vico, Of course, you will investigate it now, but moving forward, how can we organize our contractors, the system of bidding, the system of selecting contractors, on a national scale as well? How can we do it?

Before the national scale, for us, the LGUs, I'm confident to say that we've managed to fix it. The big forms of corruption have been wiped out simply by following the law. So, strictly speaking, sometimes the criticism of other contractors is that we are too strict. To some extent, I agree. Because we are too by-the-book. Sometimes, no one qualifies, it gets delayed. That's the downside, right?

That's the downside, you're too strict. But I think we need to do that because we want to safeguard the money of the people. We also want our offices to be used to strictly speaking, following the law by the book. So that in the future, it will be easier. In the future, it will be more organized. So, maybe there are birthing pains or whatever you might want to call it.

It's really hard at first, but just a little patience. It will get better and better if you do the right thing. When it comes to national projects, one of the things we will do now is we will help the national we will help the president to investigate for me, the biggest

thing we need the most we need as a country to stop all of this this is just my opinion but for me, we need

to not accept it as simple as that we should not accept it. As simple as that. We should not accept it. It should be a mirror in the eyes of the people. Not like, oh, it's just like that. We accept it.

When a politician comes, we expect that the car is good. I'm not saying that the car is good automatically. It'm not saying that the vehicle will be good automatically. It's not like that. It's not automatic or corrupt. But why do we have such expectations? Why do we say that if the vehicle is like this, it's a politician's vehicle? Or we expected that all politicians are very rich.

We have accepted it. Again, if he's rich in other things, let's say he's a businessman, that's not bad. But the worst part is that he'll get angry. So we need to not accept him. Now, on a more practical level, what are the steps that we need to do so that he won't be accepted? That's one. Like I said, we need help the national, we will help the president in fact-finding. We only have one request. Give us a copy of the Program of Works, the Bill of Quantities, and other relevant documents

so we can inspect properly. So, it means that... So, now you can't get that? We don't have copies. We don't have access. But shouldn't the local have access to that? Any project that DPWH and them do? I would argue yes. It should have. But in practice, it doesn't coordinate with us.

I'm sorry to the DPWH members, but it's true. Is that what other governors complain about? That they're just surprised that there's a project like this? That's true. It's not just the governors or mayors who are washing their hands. Which is what Jormie mentioned yesterday. It's hard because you're the one who will make the traffic plan. So, the LGU should be aware of all the projects in the city.

Mayor, I'm also thinking of a suggestion. uh I agree with what we're doing. We're already halfway. It's good that there are financialists. Because you shouldn't hide anything. If it's a government project or a project for the people, you shouldn't hide what you're doing. At the very least, maybe the executive order can be given by the president.

All contractors, post on Facebook everything you're doing. Executive order lang pwede ng iano ng Pangulo yun. Lahat ng mga contractor, i-post nyo sa Facebook lahat ng ginagawa nyo. Agree ako dun. At gaya nga nang sabi mo, kung wala ka namang tinatago, kung maayos naman yung proseso mo, e di, humbaga... But we request to the DPWH, maybe through an FOI request, but we really ask for help from the President, from the Secretaries,

because now, we saw, actually just yesterday, what's the date now? it's August 23rd yesterday, August 22, Friday, before I left the office one of my staff showed me that she watched the President's website there are projects within pasig.

Yung iba sa totoo never ko pa narinig eh. O baka yung iba tapos na, o yung iba baka hindi pa napapagawa. We mapped it out. But what am I going to do with Project Cost and Project Title? For example, Slope Protection, worth 50 million. I'll go there. Is that 50 million. I'll go there. Is that 50 million? It can't be like that.

We can't just guess. Just estimate. I need the program of work to know the scope of the project. Do you really follow everything? I need the bill of quantities to know the details. I know if there's a steel in there

How long are those What are the dimensions How much cement, concrete, all of that, what are the details Because I might say, there's no steel There's really no steel, you can't invent We need to...

We need to measure what's here. How much is that? Is it really there? At this moment, as we speak, I don't have the capability to do that. You haven't gotten it yet. So, you've already written to DPWH? We don't have a formal letter yet.

I just saw the list yesterday. You already wrote to DPWH? We don't have a formal letter yet. Oh, just a formal letter. Because I just saw the list yesterday. So you'll just write it? So by Monday or Tuesday, we'll send an FOI request. That's really it. Because it's a help. If they're not hiding anything, they'll consider it a help from us.

Because we really want to help. They will consider this as a help from us Because we really want to help We will not look for mistakes We will not look for mistakes But we will look for what is there If there is a chance of a mistake There is no mistake

We will not hide anything But that is really our number one plan of action Number one is really to secure these documents, to get a copy of these documents. I have a question, Mayor. What do you think, just personally, when it comes to flood control, who should be taking the lead when it comes to flood control projects? Some say city level, others say regional or MMDA. What do you think is the best way?

Even just in Metro Manila and Pasig. There should be national and regional master plans. I've heard from some, that there are in the works. But as of now, I haven't seen any. If we haven't seen any, it might as well not exist because it should be, even local projects, aligned

because later we'll do something, there's a national project there, we don't know it's a waste of money of the people, you'll repeat the project you'll demolish it or double the work so there should be... Right now, because that's one of the problems we've seen,

at least on a city level, we're around 60 plus percent or maybe 70 percent complete on the city level drainage and flood control master plan. Or flood control and drainage master plan so when that's done we'll show it to them, we also have a consultation with DPWH

at least the district level when that's done, maybe by early next year it's done, we really measure it we consult with the community we measure the elevation. Because before, there were a lot of projects.

Sometimes, you made the next road go down because you raised the next road. That's where we were going. So the work is doubling. Based on our master plan, and some Metro Manila cities actually have their own master plans. I haven't seen it but they said they have it, which is good. So, when we finish that, we'll tell DPWH, if you have a fund, if you're going to do something, choose from our master plan.

But it's also good if... So it won't duplicate. Choose our master plan But it's also good if... It's like it's not duplicating This is still related to the Diskaya It's a bit full of news from the past few days You're saying something Actually, you didn't directly say that you received this or you received 10 million

You just said that they didn't think hey wait, why is this ready to give 10 million just to interview me that's all you said what did you think, why did you decide to post this? on that topic, with regard to media or some media personalities or shows,

for me, what I need to say about that topic, I already said, I'm not making an issue to make it famous, but I believe that there are things that we need to talk about. to make it famous and also for us social media vloggers because it's an issue for us too where do you draw the line because like you said, it's not illegal

but it's unethical especially in journalism, in ethics, in grey areas, or someone says there are no grey areas, but that's it. But Mark, my point here is, if we want the Philippines to improve, even if it's not comfortable, even if it's sometimes awkward or embarrassing to talk about, again, we're not confrontational often, but if we want to improve, if we want to level up as a country,

Then, next is accountability, we have to answer. Those are the next steps. But how can you reach the point where everyone is doing the right thing or the practices of corruption are not acceptable if we just don't want to talk about it. Maybe your point, Mayor, is that it's good that the Diskaya was brought to you,

but maybe in other places or in other places where there's no such platform, maybe the onslaught of the Diskaya didn't work, right? We can't say. We can't say that. We can't say that. These are the factors that make him strong. This is what they always use for the corrupt politicians, so they could stay in power,

or for others to enter politics. So, we need to talk about all aspects. This helps perpetuate the cycle you're talking about. The corrupt politicians, the corrupt contractors, they could sometimes influence mainstream media, social media. We can't totally separate them.

They're all connected. The money is circulating. It's a big system that we should slowly break. Because they are also a business. The mainstream media are also a business. They also need to earn.

But you're right. Where do we draw the line? How far should we go? Should there be transparency? Should we at least say it? We were sponsored by this.

So that's the debate that should be discussed moving forward. But there are some who got angry. Of course, there are different opinions. There are different opinions. I mean, the media got angry with what you're saying. But at least, for me, whether you agree with me or not,

of course, hopefully, more people will agree, but whether you agree with me or not, at least we can talk. For me, that's a win. We can talk. That's a big win already. To be honest, sorry to interrupt you. I've talked to a lot of people, both in politics, in media, and even other fields, who are really stubborn, but are afraid to talk to them. Of course, they have like, a lot of people texted me, to be honest.

Without mentioning names, of course. Thank you, we really want to bring that up, but we can't do anything. Someone called me earlier, I won't mention it. In the media, he said, why is Vico like that? If he has a plan for a higher position in 2028, why is the media pitying him? That's what he said exactly.

I said, he said that again. He has no plan for 2028. But your friend is right. If I think that I'm a politician, I won't talk.

Yes.

I'm just thinking about self-preservation. I won't do that, honestly. But it's a waste for me, because sometimes, what I say or do is a waste for me. It's a waste of the opportunity that God and man gave me if I just back away when I have those opportunities

I'll just take advantage of the opportunity The issue is being discussed, the videos are trending So might as well bring that topic up That's also right I just want to add something before we leave the topic of diskayas I think it's your favorite topic

No, it's just that it's just ending They will face a big problem in the next months What I like about what happened in Pasig during the last election cycle You don't blocking the medical mission. Because we're vloggers, we're going around different cities, blocking is normal.

The court hasn't used it yet. The chairmen are afraid to help in a medical mission or aid or something that can help their constituents.

How did you become a policymaker?

The reason or my thinking here is simple, Mark. In 2019, I made a promise to people that we will change the system of politics and government. We will remove fear. We will remove violence. Even if we can't perfect it, our roots are deep, our problems are deep,

but let's move in the right direction. And I believe that giving people the freedom of choice, even if you say that you've seen a lot of people, even in court or venue, the chairman or the captain, if you're seen together, you can even put a fund. I can do that, but I choose not to, even if it's more difficult, because that's what we promised in 2019.

And I want my words to be true. I want to say that what we said in 2019 is not just lip service. That's the truth. And I believe, it's a bit counterintuitive, because, of course, think about it. If you want to win, if you want to have a good result, you will do these things. Because that's the traditional, that's what we're used to.

But I think, thankfully, I didn't know that it would happen in 2019. I didn't know. I'm always ready to lose when I fight. I think, I'll do this, whatever I think is right. 2022, maybe it won't work, I'll lose. At least I tried. But as it so happens, it's funny because counterintuitively, it worked for me. And it worked for a group that because I do that,

which is so different from the traditional I feel like I've gotten stronger I didn't expect that Of course, we're happy because why did you stop? You're just giving us help I'm so thankful to the Pasiguenos

and even to the non-Pasiguenos because that's how it happened Because in 2019, other traditional people told me that this is how you should do it. If you have an opponent, do this. So of course, as a newbie, I also kind of believe it because there are batikans. But again, it's just fun. It's fun that it worked. I didn't know it was working. Today, if you're going to judge someone based on their performance, more than...

Based on performance, and I think one thing also is sincerity matters. I think that's an important point to make. Because people see that you can fake it for so long but eventually people will see what your true colors are. You can't be worried about it. We've been doing this for 9 years. The truth will come out. At least that's what I believe. being sincere matters even when we talk about things

like fighting against corruption, anti-corruption, what they say that they are fighting for power, they are fighting for fear. If it's just lip service, eventually people will see it. No, that's not what you're doing. But if you're sincere and you turn the world upside down, people will still see it. Okay. Let's go to the achievements for the last 6 years

and the remaining 3 years, the big 5. I also want to ask about the budget, of course, transparency in bidding, but the amount you increased from 10 million when you started, now it's around 20 plus? But that's complicated because the budget is very highly technical. In fact, there are some, let's who have been doing this for 30-40 years, they haven't done anything but study the budget of the LGU level, that's different from the national level.

The process is different, the nuances are different. Now, to be honest, it's hard for them to explain. In the first place, I'm not an expert. Again, we have people who have spent their whole careers doing this. Our budget officers, our treasurers, they're just like that. It's hard to explain because there are a lot of nuances.

For example, 22 billion. Does that mean that the LGU, LGU earned 22 billion? No. Because there's a fresh fund from income, like real property taxes, business taxes. There's also from surplus, how much is that? Those are the ones that were saved from the bidding.

If the ABC is 100 million, approved budget of the contract, the award is only 90, there's 10 million to carry over. There's also from the National Tax Allotment. So, not necessarily that the new money is really 22 billion. You can't say that this is 22 billion for this year because you still have accounts payable You can't say this is this

You can't say this is this It's hard to explain But what's clear is that we're saving a lot

Number one, income is really increasing every year But the clear thing is that we are saving a lot.

Number one, income is increasing every year. Thankfully, we've succeeded in that. Number two, we are saving a lot because of the procurement reform.

And this is really one of our biggest achievements in the last six years. Because the previous one that could make 10 million, for instance, we really saw the prices go down. It went from 8 million to 7 million. We even had an instance where the calendar was like 50% of the market. But the quality was the same. And the quantity, I was sure that everything really came. So there are instances like that.

It saves a lot. But like when I posted several, I also have a video, so my explanation won't be too long, there's... what do you call this? There's also... What am I saying? I forgot. I'm distracted.

No, there's a surplus from procurement. We also have what we call absorptive capacity. Now, because we are fixing the processes, in reality, many of our offices are not doing what they used to do. Before, they had a shortcut, the contractors would do the prior work.

They would tell stories. They also tell me stories. They used to say, the contractors would do it, and the papers would just be chased. That's not allowed. That's corruption. That's prohibited.

And how can you say that the company is using it? You can't monitor that. That's not good. So we fixed the process. Because other departments are not used to it, we had delays. Because of the delays, the budget was carried over to the next year. That's not good.

So we're still far from perfect. But, there are big steps towards the ideals. These changes that you're making, Mayor, especially when it comes to, it's very important, in bidding, in procurement,

after you go down as mayor, how will it stay? How can you make sure that whoever will replace you these systems will stay in place and won't go back to the old system? That's a good question and that's what I ask myself everyday.

Number one, capacity building. For example, I said that we are training the offices of the engineering department to go through the right process, to do the program of work properly, to budget properly, to do the bidding properly. So now, they're used to that kind of process. They're doing it better and faster.

So, you're giving them tools that at the very least, they have the option to do the right thing Before, they really didn't know how to do it Before, it was just a mess Before, it was just a shortcut So at least now, you have tools, you have the capacity

We strengthened not only the capacity but also the institutions of the local government to do these things. For instance, we have established an office called Procurement Management Office. There in our Procurement Management Office, there are employees who are really experts. They have a plan, they have a permanent item. We are fixing the process, again, and the reason why it's sounding like a broken record is because we are fixing the process

so that what we are doing are not solutionalized. It should not be centered on the mayor. It should not be like that. There should be monitoring, CSO participation, they can wait. So it's not all about the mayor? The CSO also has a capacity. Then the ordinances that are needed to support them, the budget, that the main goal here, what we want to happen here, that even if eventually the mayor changes, it's still important that the mayor is in the right direction. But let's say, what will happen?

It's important that if it's suddenly changed, people will see it. Wait, why is it prohibited for the civil society organization to enter our bidding? Before, this document was available. Why is it not now? It will be obvious now. And the institutions will be affected, the people who are seen will be affected, the citizens will be affected. The ordinary people should know that, the people should appreciate that corruption is happening there.

Because they will be affected, they will be noisy, they will pressure the government. Don't do that, it's already fixed before, don't go back to the past. It should be obvious. It should be obvious. It needs to be obvious. So, there are other aspects. Maybe we can go through them one by one. In housing, I saw your project in Tawiran, in May Santolan. Then for the landless, the titles of the former informal settlers.

We have a vertical program, a horizontal one. For me, the government's resources are limited, so we really need to be wise and efficient in using it. Some of us have been having problems for a long time. Actually, you know what I'm most proud of when it comes to housing? We don't have a vertical program, although We have two projects now, four buildings. What I'm proud of are the problems that I had before I was born. That was fixed during my term.

That's what I'm really happy about. So when you say problems, it's like they've been living there for a long time, there's a problem with the title or there's a fight. They fought, multiple claims. It's not because you said informal settler or ISF, it's not the same. There are ISFs that were really settled there before, they have a legal claim,

meaning they have a call of title to stay there. There are also those who are like syndicates, that's true, those are the ones we shouldn't be helping. That's different. But there are other ISFs that were settled here before, we were allowed here, then suddenly there's a problem with the land. They don't know. That's what we're helping. We have a lot of people in Ismar, in Calauan, they recently posted.

So what will happen is that their land titles will be owned by the city and then sell it to them different cases that's one of the things in LGU because you really need to know the root of the problem to fix it if you just tell people this is yours

you can't solve the problem or just make it famous, just say what you promise 10 years from now, the problem will still be the same But we really tried We have an instance where We asked the two Hoa to fight for 30 years

So that they can apply for our local CMP There was an instance where the government bought the land To the private owner who has had this problem for a long time. He also used to live there with the people before, and now he's being kicked out. There are instances like that.

It's just that it's different. My point is... The point is, the LGU is helping to secure first, so they won't be kicked out.

And eventually...

And the solutions must be long term It can't be just a ban aid It can't be just a handsome solution The solutions must be long term that they can give to their children Next is health care

The PASIG-HOPE hospital

So we have made a lot of progress here The PASIG-HOPE Medical Center you mentioned, Center is the second general hospital It's not totally new, it used to be a children's hospital But we saw the need for the second general hospital Because our general hospital, PCGH, is actually on the boundary So, only half of it is there, maybe 60% of the people are PASIG employees.

Of course, PASIG's fund, PASIG's resources, would be better if it's really focused on... So, this second general hospital is in the population area, in the center. So, from... We won't neglect the pedia services, that's still ongoing. But, more...

it will expand, even the ER will be bigger. So, we'll have two, one per district of general hospital. And then, zero billing, right? For the hospitals... We do no balance billing.

No balance billing, yes. So, for example, you're in the hospital? We do no balance billing For example, you're in the ward We implement no balance billing Since the pandemic So this is the result of you syncing up the budget

You're able to pour more funds Of course, there are also national funds there are philhealth funds but sometimes the coverage is not yet complete the LGU is subsidizing the LGU

and of course the facilities the equipment, the people I read in one of your posts that there's a big area in Nagpayo is there a plan there build a big area?

We have a plan. It's not a hospital, it's a mini hospital. The proper term is infirmary. People always ask me what is an infirmary. I just say mini hospital. We just have a problem with the right of way because we can't enter. But the land is already in the government, there's a program and a fund.

When it comes to education, one of the things is the number of scholars that the LGU provides, the, the number that's increasing, is it more than double?

The number of scholars?

In my six years, from 11,000 to 12,000, now it's more than 25,000. We also have full scholars at the college level. Aside from City College, the Pamantasan of Lungsod ng Pasig,

we also have a scholarship program partnered with two private universities. The whole tuition is paid by the LGU. So what are the other things in the education side? For me, the most important thing is the reading camp that of books every year. The books that are hard to read, especially in lower grade levels, with the help of Sineria Foundation,

of course, the first one is still DepEd. Education in LGU is not yet a devolved function. It's still a department of education. But we have a reading camp. You can really see that after the reading camp, the kids' scores are getting better. So there's no one to leave behind?

No one to leave behind. It means savings from corruption. Let's be honest, how much the kickbacks were. but you need to reduce the healthcare services, social services, that's a different story. But this one, none.

All sectors, all fields, all offices, the funds increased, but we were able to allot 9 billion for a new City Hall that will be good for a hundred years. The design is beautiful, right? The design is beautiful. And the plan is still the same, right? The whole complex until the market.

City hall for now, but the whole... Eventually, but I won't be able to reach it. I'm not a mayor anymore. But that's the most planned. Eventually, but I can't reach it. I'm not a mayor anymore. But that's the most planned.

Yes, that's really it.

What we're doing now is in 2.something hectares, so it's a bit big.

The entire complex is more than 8 hectares.

That's up to the end. But what we're doing now, 2.2 hectares if I'm not mistaken, that's the floor area of 40,000 plus square meters. That's quite big. Based on what we saw in the past, the problems and deficiencies. So that's complete. Is it in the parking lot or below? It's not below, it's complete now. Is it in the parking or below? It's not below, it's built in. I just want to point out one thing, especially the ongoing demolition of the old City Hall building.

It was also confirmed that it was right to demolish the old City hall building based on what I saw. I'm not an engineer and I don't want to pretend that I understood all the complexities of their presentations to me but what I saw was like, the engineers of the consortium or the contractor were surprised when they saw the old city hall building, they were like, the old city wall was made like that the concrete slabs were just laid like that 43 meters, no support in the middle and it was not properly attached

and there was a part that just suddenly started moving, there was a part that fell, so it's good that we got out of there so it's moving, there's a part that's broken So it's good that we're already out of there So it's really safe Maybe just one major earthquake But they said, actually, assuming there's no earthquake

There's a small chance every day that it might collapse Yes, if there's a slab that's giving It's all going straight down Because it was too heavy The slabs there were not... It was like 4 layers of...

The load per floor was too much for a good engineer computes now what you're saying is what you're trying to say is before, our municipality was only 3 floors so it was built until 8 but there's no foundation in the middle just on the sides

there are engineering solutions maybe but it's not how it was built I also saw something that's good to be effective After this new city hall, the downtown area will be revitalized

That's one of the hopes And the middle will be opened Actually, now when you pass through there You can see from Caruncho Avenue, from the church You can see the revolving tower Before, you can only see the building. Now, you can see it.

What will happen there is the corridor in the middle will open. It's clear. It's open space. It's like you have a new plaza. It's also a bit big. Of course, at the center, the tower. So, Mayor Vico, last two questions.

Of course, the next three years, you said you have more to accomplish. But what is your plan after 2028? I'm sure we're always asking you this. And you said that you don't have a plan to run after this 2028. But what do you see? Where does VicoSotto go after 2028? I'm planning until next week.

Okay.

I can invent an answer but I don't know the truth.

Okay.

Finally, last question. This one, a friend of mine asked this. You always see on your cellphones, there's always an issue with the video you're taking.

Sometimes, why?

I don't know. I don't know. My cellphone is fine. Maybe I just don't know how to take videos. That's the only'm not really fond of latest purchases

I don't have a phone to buy It's not a priority for me If my phone is broken, that's it It's hard to transfer contacts update your apps. As long as my phone works, I don't change it.

Then, I just use the normal one.

Okay. Thank you very much, Mayor Bigo.

But it's not ugly. It's beautiful. No, it's beautiful. I don't want to have something wrong with my eyes. That's the thing. I don't want to have something wrong with my eyes. Mayor Vico's video is beautiful.

Don't do that.

Thank you very much, Mayor Vico. I really appreciate it. And it's a big thing, of course, especially the first episode of our podcast. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mark. Thank you.

What I said in 2019 in my videos, I said, I saw Mayor Vico, he is the future of Philippine politics, hopefully. And 6 years on, I can say that I did not make a mistake. And you didn't let the Pasiguenos down. Thank you. I appreciate it. So I'm very thankful. I appreciate it. Our support is complete. Whatever your plan is,

this last term and moving forward. That's a big thing for me, what you're saying, Mark. Especially for someone who has been with you since the beginning, since 2019. Thank you very much. More power to your new podcast. Thank you very much. More power to your new podcast.

Thank you.