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Mayor Sotto cites ‘conflict of interest’ in rival Discaya’s mayoralty bid in 2025 polls

10/5/24, 4:09 AM

By Tracy Cabrera

Following reports that there are people linked to election contractors who have filed their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) in an apparent case of conflict of interest, Pasig City mayor Victor Maria Regis ‘Vico’ Sotto accused his opponent for the city’s mayoral post of alleged connections with South Korean company Miru Systems, whose automated counting machines have been contracted for use in next year’s midterm polls.

Sotto made the allegation in a social media post, saying that his expected rival for the 2025 elections, Sarah Discaya, allegedly owns Miru System’s local partner Saint Timothy Construction Corporation (STCC).

“The same people are behind Saint Gerrard Construction (SGC) and Saint Timothy Construction. They go around using St. Gerrard as if it’s a political party,” the incumbent Pasig mayor cited.

The SGC, however, denied having any connection with STCC, describing Sotto’s allegations as false and unfounded.

Sotto noted that in Saint Timothy’s supposed articles of incorporation filed in July 2014, three Discayas appeared among its five incorporators identified through their last name or middle name.

“This is well known in many circles. The evidence is also overwhelming. The two construction companies have common incorporators, use the same business address… the presidents of both companies even declare the same residential address,” he enthused.

The mayor stressed that a financier or contracting party for the Comelec’s automated election machines cannot run for the same elections.

Moreover, Sotto claimed that STCC has a questionable track record as government contractor and was in fact suspended once by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in connection with the company’s submission of fake documents, particularly a fabricated Bureau of Internal Revenue tax clearance.

On the other hand, SGC—one of the top government contractors during the Duterte administration—was reportedly suspended from participating in all government projects for a year due to delays in the construction of several educational facilities at the Lumampong National High School in Indang, Cavite.

Despite this, though, Saint Gerrard owner Curlee Discaya dismissed the Pasig mayor’s allegations, citing that the construction firm “has not engaged in any form of collaboration, partnership or any kind of participation in the company of Saint Timothy.”

Pasig mayor Vico Sotto and opponent Sarah Discaya of Saint Gerrard Construction firm. (Photo courtesy of Politiko Metro Manila and Noon Break Balita)

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