Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Wednesday called on protesters to remain peaceful following a demonstration at the St. Gerrard Construction Building reportedly owned by the contractor Discayas.
He cautioned that such actions could result in injuries.
“I understand that we are angry and frustrated, but let’s not resort to violence or acts that could potentially lead to violence or injuries,” Sotto said in a statement.
He stressed that when protests turn aggressive, it is often the wrong people who end up hurt.
“Hindi naman yung mga corrupt ang masasaktan pag bumigay ang gate, hindi rin sila ang matatamaan ng bato. Nag-aalala ako para sa mga security guard, trabahador, at ralyista mismo,” he added.
Despite growing frustrations, the mayor encouraged residents not to lose hope, saying momentum is already on the side of accountability.
“Don’t feel hopeless… the momentum is on the right side now!!! Let us continue to fight for ACCOUNTABILITY, STRONGER INSTITUTIONS, AND THE RULE OF LAW. There are no shortcuts.”
Sotto assured the public that the city government will continue to pursue investigations and build cases, not only against the allegedly Discaya-owned companies but also in other matters where the local government unit can intervene.
“Rest assured, we in the LGU will continue to do our part with investigation, case build up, and even prosecution. Not just for the Discaya companies. Anything we can do to help. We have had initial exchanges of info and coordination with at least 5 national government agencies… nararamdaman din namin na bumibilis ang kilos nila ngayon,” the mayor said.
The mayor also highlighted that the city has ongoing criminal and administrative cases, particularly targeting illegal building structures and business tax delinquencies.
“Sama-sama tayo. Tuloy-tuloy ang laban para sa tama,” h esaid.
On Thursday morning, tensions flared outside a property owned by the Discayas as several protesters hurled mud, vandalized the gates and shook the perimeter fence of the St. Gerrard Construction office in Pasig City.
The demonstration, staged by flood victims, environmentalist groups and militant groups, sought to demand accountability from the contractors allegedly involved in anomalous flood control projects.
Protesters carrying placards, banners and megaphones chanted slogans while throwing mud at the company’s gates.
Some of them spray-painted the word “MAGNANAKAW” on the property’s entrance, while others rattled and pushed the gate as they called for the Discayas to face the public.
Sarah Discaya, who was Sotto’s rival for the mayoralty position in the last elections, had previously denied allegations of transacting with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to win public bidding for the government’s flood control and other infrastructure projects.
“Wala po akong binibigyan sa DPWH po. Kasi hindi po ako nakikipag-transact with the DPWH,” Discaya said after being questioned by Senator Jinggoy Estrada at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday.
“Baka may ipakita akong sulat sa ’yo. Umamin ka na. At the end of the day, ’pag nagsinungaling ka, ipapakita ko ’yung sulat. ’Di ba umaabot hanggang kwarenta porsyento?” Estrada responded.
Discaya was pressed by senators after it was revealed that her family’s nine firms, including Alpha & Omega Gen. Contractor & Development Corp., had gotten most of the flood control projects in the country.
