Regis "Vico" Nubla Sotto[1] (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈbiko ˈsɔtɔ]; born June 17, 1989) is a Filipino politician serving as the incumbent mayor of Pasig.
[3] He joined the Aksyon Demokratiko party and was elected mayor of Pasig in 2019 with a platform focused on public consultation, data-driven governance, and universal health care in the city, which prioritizes housing programs, easier access to education, and cracking down on corruption.
He focused his attention on "The Pasig Transparency Mechanism Ordinance," which seeks the disclosure of public records, including financial documents and contracts, upon request by ordinary citizens.
[16] In response to the management style of the previous administration, Sotto also promised that all city government decisions would undergo a public consultation process.
[18] Sotto's proposed solution to this problem was to ensure that decisions on the provision and prioritization of services would be based on data, rather than the political will or whims of officials.
[21] Sotto received favorable press coverage[22] when he issued a policy statement against the proliferation of political propaganda signages prior to his inauguration.
"[25] On July 9, 2019, media reports noted that Sotto had visited protesters who were being forced away from their picket line in front of the main factory of Zagu Foods Corporation in Pasig.
Sotto called on Regency to "rethink on the charges it filed against its employees," issuing a statement claiming that "These people are not criminals; they do not have the goal of hurting you.
[27] In February 2020, Sotto again gained positive media reactions as a result of his efforts to crack down on illegally-operating businesses linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
On February 23, Sotto ordered the closure Fu Yuan Ji, a restaurant catering to POGO employees, which opened without securing a permit from the city to operate.
[40] In response to media coverage of this, private companies began donating vehicles such as Community Managed Electric Transport (COMET) bus units to augment Pasig's fleet of free rides that can be offered to the public.
[38][43] On March 24, 2020, the Philippine legislature passed the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act which gave national government additional powers to combat the pandemic.
Sotto responded by claiming that he had complied with the national government's order to stop tricycle operations prior to the enactment of the law on March 25.
[45] Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis Pangilinan were among the other politicians who questioned the NBI's actions, stating the unconstitutionality of criminalizing an act committed retroactively.
[46] Social media responded heavily with criticism towards the NBI for allegedly singling out the mayor, with the hashtag "#ProtectVico" trending on Twitter worldwide that day.
[49] Pasig resident Ethelmart Cruz filed with the Ombudsman a graft complaint against Sotto, officers Melanie de Mesa and Jeronimo Manzanero, anchored on alleged tax discount to Converge ICT.
[53] However, six months after his re-election as Pasig mayor in 2022, Sotto resigned from Aksyon Demokratiko due to differences regarding the party's direction, noting that "recent events have made it apparent" that its members no longer shared similar political goals and ideals.