Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto faces cyberlibel rap from vice mayor Iyo Bernardo; Sotto reacts with 'Haha' on Facebook video
Following their word war months ago, Pasig Vice Mayor Iyo Bernardo on March 18 filed a cyberlibel complaint against Mayor Vico Sotto over his remarks during a flag raising ceremony.
Pasig News Today, the city's media outlet, broke the news through a live video coverage at the prosecutor's office, where Bernardo and his lawyer Ramon Gerard Hernandez can be seen with a few members of the press.
"Iyon po kasing sinabi sa flag ceremony, kinukuwestiyon ho ang trabaho ng vice mayor," Bernardo said, adding that he's not been negligent in his duties especially on ayuda distribution in the city.
During the Jan. 10 flag raising ceremony, Sotto told Bernardo to do his job as vice mayor first before criticizing the local government's performance, noting that he hasn't been allegedly replying to his texts and calls. He also wondered why the vice mayor had just become vocal after six years of service.
Sotto was reacting toward Bernardo's video uploaded in December, which compiled "complaints" from Pasig residents regarding the ayuda distribution.
Hernandez said Sotto's words have "discredited" the "reputation" and "honor" of Bernardo as vice mayor.
"Hinding-hindi po marunong manira ang mga Pasigueño, lalong-lalo na sa flag ceremony," Bernardo added.
Hernandez also denied any political propaganda with the timing of his complaint, which is just days before March 25, the campaign period for local positions, and weeks before the May 9 elections.
The lawyer said Bernardo has been planning to file the complaint since January, but took time to review the case.
Sotto, meanwhile, has yet to publicly issue a comment on the case.
The mayor, however, reacted with "Haha" toward Pasig News Today's live video of Bernardo's interview.
Last January, he replied to a quote card posted by Philstar.com about Bernardo saying he's seeking legal advice at the time.
Bakit "family's reputation".. may sinabi ba ako tungkol sa pamilya niya? 😂
— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) January 20, 2022
"Bakit 'family's reputation'.. may sinabi ba ako tungkol sa pamilya niya?" Sotto tweeted, followed by a tears of joy emoji. It has over 29,600 likes and 4,500 retweets.