Pasig Vice Mayor Christian 'Iyo' Caruncho Bernardo has slammed Mayor Vico Sotto for allegedly besmirching their family name's brand of service in the city, saying that Sotto's leadership has been putting on a show on social media.
In a video uploaded on Tuesday, Bernardo likened Sotto to an actor who gets credit for the efforts of other city government officials.
"Nakakalungkot na ang Pasig, naging isang pelikula na lamang, puro palabas," the vice mayor said in a video uploaded on a Facebook page called Pasig Dapat Pasigueniyo.
[t is sad to see how Pasig has become like a movie, filled with shows.]
"Nakakalungkot na ngayon pilit na ginagamit ang internet para matabunan lahat ng pagkakamali at kakulangan sa serbisyo. Parang palabas sa TV. Alam mo (Sotto) ang formula para mapansin, sumikat at pagusapan," he continued.
[It's sad that the internet is being used to conceal all mistakes and lapses in service... It's like a TV show. You know the formula to be noticed, be popular, and be talked about.]
Sotto is currently in isolation after he tested positive for COVID-19.
According to Bernardo, the 32-year-old mayor is lucky because he gained fame through social media.
“Maswerte ka, Mayor Vico, sumikat ka ngayong panahon ng social media. Hindi mo naranasan noong panahon na sinusukat ang eleksyon sa husay ng paglilingkod. Sa kalye nasusukat ang tunay na serbisyo, ang tunay na pagmamalasakit,” the vice mayor said.
[You are lucky, Mayor Vico because you gained popularity in the time of social media. You did not experience the time when the election measures service quality. True service and compassion can be measured in the ground.]
He also called out Sotto for alleging during a flag ceremony last week that the vice mayor has not been answering calls and text messages to discuss city-related matters.
"Noong nakaraang flag ceremony na sadya mong ginamit na lugar upang mangampanya sa pagkakasabi mo na tinext mo ako at nagconfirm sa pagdalo. Ito ang telepono ko, wala pong message or tawag si Mayor Vico Sotto,” Bernardo said.
"Okay lang, itong parte na ito ay kaya kong palampasin kung ito lang ang sinabi mo. Pwedeng hindi na ako sumagot. Pero para sadyain mong palabasin na ako ay nasa air conditioned room lang at hindi nagtatrabaho, kailangan kong ipaalala sayo ang ambag ko at ng aking pamilya sa Pasig,” he added.
Bernardo is running against Sotto for mayorship in the city in the 2022 elections.
In the same video, Bernardo also revealed that Sotto scolded members of the city council for increasing the cash aid for tricycle drivers.
"Ang P3,000 budget para sa ating mga TODA (Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association) ay minabuti naming gawing P4,000 pero imbis na ikatuwa mo ito, pinatawag mo kasi sa 8th floor para pagalitan," he said.
"Ako kasama ang buong city council ang direktor at cameraman. Hindi mabubuo ang isang pelikula na wala kami kung saan ang aktor ay umaarte lamang para mabigyang buhay ang kuwento pero sila ang sumisikat, pinapalakpakan," he added.
The vice mayor also questioned the Pasig local government’s purchase of disinfectant drones and the appointment of non-Pasig residents to positions at the city hall.
“Nakakalungkot isipin na sinakop na tayo. Wala ka bang bilib sa kakayahan ng Pasigueño? Ano ang meron sa mga nakaupo ngayon na taga Quezon City at San Juan na wala sa mga pinamumunuan mo?” he asked Sotto.
Bernardo said he would not have released a video statement if Sotto did not publicly criticize him during a flag ceremony last week, where the mayor said that the Pasig vice mayor has not been attending several city events, including the turnover of the city's budget proposals.
"Kaya ako magsasalita ngayon ay para proteksyunan ang pangalan ng pamilya Caruncho na pilit mong dinudumihan," said the vice mayor, who is the grandson of former Pasig Mayor Emiliano Caruncho Jr.
Sotto has yet to comment on the matter.
