The Philippine Star

ANTI-CORRUPTION CHAMPION:

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has been honored by the US Department of State as one of the recipients of its Internatio­nal AntiCorrup­tion Champions Award. The award aims to recognize individual­s who have demonstrat­ed leadership, courage and impact in preventing, exposing and combating corruption.

The US State Department has chosen Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto as one of the Internatio­nal Anti-Corruption Champions, a recognitio­n given to leaders and innovators who have benchmarke­d their work on combatting corruption.

Sotto was among the 12 awardees recognized for demonstrat­ing “leadership, courage and impact in preventing, exposing and fighting corruption.”

“He is a standard bearer for a new generation of Philippine politician­s who prioritize anti-corruption and transparen­cy initiative­s in their election campaigns and in office,” the US State Department said.

Citing Sotto’s electoral victory in 2019 over a 27-year-long political dynasty, the agency noted his policies intended to reduce bribery in contract awarding, measures preventing kickbacks, establishm­ent of around-the-clock public informatio­n and complaints hotline as well as democratiz­ing budget and policymaki­ng by involving civil society groups in these processes.

The mayor was also cited for his work as a city councilor in legislatin­g a freedom of informatio­n ordinance that allowed residents and the press to obtain documents “without having to provide a justificat­ion.”

“Sotto has sought to solidify his reputation as a fresh voice with a new, more transparen­t approach to governance,” the US State Department said.

The State Department launched the award this year in reiteratin­g the US government’s commitment under the Biden administra­tion to combat corruption globally.

The other awardees are Ardian Dvorani (Albania), Diana Salazaar (Ecuador), Sophia Pretrick (Micronesia), Juan Francisco Sandoval Alfaro (Guatemala), Ibrahima Kalil Gueye (Guinea), Anjali Bhardwaj (India), Dhuha Mohammed (Iraq), Bolot Temirov (Kyrgyzstan), Mustafa Adbullah Sanalla (Libya), Francis Kaifala (Sierra Leone) and Ruslan Ryaboshapk­a (Ukraine).

“I commend the dedication of these 12 brave leaders to these same ideals. They inspire us and so many of their counterpar­ts pursuing these ideals around the world,” State Secretary Anthony Blinken said.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson lauded Sotto, describing him as “the bright beacon of the land.”

“At least we have a good reason not to give up hope for our beloved country. As one successful businessma­n told me - for the longest time, our country is like a boat full of holes that doesn’t sink only because we keep bailing the water out. Nobody has thought of bringing it to a dry dock for repairs,” Lacson said in a tweet.

Metropolit­an Manila Developmen­t Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos Jr. said he was proud of Sotto’s feat.

– With Pia Lee-Brago, Cecille Suerte Felipe, Ghio Ong

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