Vico warns voters vs pols spending too much

MANILA, Philippines — Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto warned people against voting for candidates who are spending too much money in their campaigns as they might suffer in the long term.

“Ang malaking gumastos sa kampanya ay mas malaki pa ang babawiin (Those who spend so much on their campaigns will try to recoup much more),” he said in a Facebook post on Friday.

Sotto made the statement after he was informed by a constituent about a politician who lavished them with cash during a campaign sortie.

He did not reveal if the politician involved is running for a national or local post. Sotto is seeking a second term against his rival, Vice Mayor Iyo Bernardo.

“Ang palusot ng ibang kandidato ay sariling pera naman daw nila ang gamit nila (Some candidates would justify it by saying they used their own money),” Sotto said.

He said a corrupt politician could spend P60 million in 200 days, starting from the filing of candidacy last year, if he gives P300 to every person he or she would meet every day.

He quipped that he would check the “Forbes list,” referring to a list of the world’s richest, published annually by Forbes magazine.

Sotto, who is running on a platform of good governance, assured Pasig residents he will continue to use government funds for their welfare.