Vico rejects peace covenant proposal

MANILA, Philippines — Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto on Monday rejected a peace covenant proposed by his rival in the May 2025 midterm elections.

Politicians do not have to arrange their own peace covenant since the Commission on Elections (Comelec) provides it every three years, Sotto said.

Businesswoman Sarah Discaya earlier said that her proposed covenant would stop mudslinging during the campaign.

Discaya is hoping to replace Sotto, who is seeking reelection for a third term.

Sotto alleged that Discaya owned St. Timothy Construction Corp. (STCC), a local partner of South Korean firm Miru Systems.

In February, a joint venture led by lone bidder Miru secured the P17.9-billion contract to provide automated counting machines and other election paraphernalia in 2025.

The STCC has withdrawn from the joint venture, citing conflict of interest as some of its owners planned to run in the midterm polls.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia is also facing allegations that he received bribes from Miru through offshore accounts. Garcia has denied the accusation.

Graft charges were filed against Garcia and seven other officials on Aug. 20 over the Comelec’s award of the contract to Miru.

Bullying

Meanwhile, the Pasig government said yesterday it does not condone bullying after a video posted on social media showed a student kneeling while being slapped and punched by a suspect in front of other students.

“We are coordinating with the Schools Division Office of Pasig, which has jurisdiction to investigate, resolve and prescribe interventions to address bullying within and outside school premises,” the Pasig public information office said.

“For the protection of both students, we enjoin the public to be more circumspect in sharing the video/s,” it noted.