Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto urged Filipinos, both in the public and private sectors, to practice integrity in both major and everyday decisions, emphasizing that anti-corruption reforms depend not only on laws but also on personal conviction.Sotto delivered his remarks as a guest of honor and panelist at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) 2025 International Anticorruption Day celebration, held Thursday at the bank’s headquarters in Mandaluyong City.Sotto, regarded as a leading voice for ethical and modern governance in the Philippines, spoke candidly about leadership values, gender sensitivity in government workplaces, emerging technologies like blockchain, and strengthening integrity in both public and private sectors. When asked whether he would apply the same governance principles in Malacañang should he one day be elected President, Sotto chose not to speculate on national politics but stressed that good governance is rooted in character, not position.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/12/10/philippine-business-groups-press-lawmakers-for-stronger-anti-corruption-body-1431">Philippine business groups press lawmakers for stronger anti-corruption body</a></div>“I’m not gonna answer your question,” he said. “But when we talk about integrity, integrity is from the root word integer being whole. Integrity, no matter where you are, you’d probably do the same thing, and make similar decisions, so it’s not the position that matters.” Sotto also highlighted the Pasig local government’s firm approach toward sexual harassment and gender-based misconduct within its workforce.“We fired several local government employees, because of offenses with regard to asking for sexual favor, some things of that nature,” he said. He noted that Pasig’s Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) is active, and that “every government employee has to go through gender sensitivity training.” He emphasized the importance of confidentiality to protect complainants—usually women—from stigma. “When people… come up and complain, then everyone knows what’s happening, everyone’s talking about them, they will be embarrassed. They feel wrongfully ashamed,” Sotto said. “We try to keep it confidential and follow the correct processes.” He added that he personally checks the status of cases from time to time.ON BLOCKCHAIN: PROMISING BUT NOT A SILVER BULLETSotto expressed openness to emerging technologies that improve transparency, particularly blockchain.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/4/marcos-likens-corruption-mess-to-cancer-but-says-ph-will-heal-very-quickly-0912">Marcos likens corruption mess to cancer but says PH will &#x27;heal very quickly&#x27;</a></div>“The application of blockchain, I think it is very promising,” he said. “Immutability is the key feature here. Definitely should look into it… but it’s not going to solve all of our problems, it’s not the silver bullet that would make everything all of a sudden so transparent and so good.” Sotto was also asked about the goals of &quot;Mayors for Good Governance&quot;, a network he co-convenes.“The goal really is… to have a network of people who believe in good governance but also to have an avenue for training and exchange of best practices,” he said. “It’s not just about rallying against corruption, although that’s a big part of it. Awareness raising… is a key thing.”He said the group aims to build a critical mass of local leaders who share the same principles and commitment to reform.PMOMOTING INTEGRITYSotto stressed that corruption persists because it involves both sides, public and private.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2025/11/30/francis-kong-urges-leaders-to-lead-with-integrity-2242">Francis Kong urges leaders to lead with integrity  </a></div>“As I mentioned earlier, it’s making decision whether little or big, everything contributes,” he said. “Corruption is a two way street, no ones going to accept a bribe if no ones giving a bribe. It’s declaring your income properly, having accurate and honest financial statements… Choosing not to give money to a traffic enforcer. From the smallest of things to the biggest of things, it all contributes.”ADB President Masato Kanda also delivered a keynote address calling for stronger global action against corruption. Before outlining regional strategies, Kanda publicly recognized Sotto’s leadership as a local model for institutional reform.“Your work in Pasig City is a blueprint for what is possible,” Kanda told him. “You have shown that when you remove the hidden costs of corruption, you unlock the visible benefits of development, better health care, stronger education, and more effective public services.”Kanda described corruption as “a tax on the poor that siphons away the future,” warning that it continues to drain resources intended for public services.“Every year, corruption diverts funds meant to pave roads, build schools, and shield the vulnerable from economic shocks,” he said. “Without integrity, our work is fragile and short-lived.”GLOBAL CHALLENGE WITH URGENT REGIONAL IMPLICATIONS“Corruption knows no borders. It undermines confidence in institutions and slows progress,” Kanda said. He noted that for Asia and the Pacific, where millions still live in poverty, “we are running out of time. We cannot afford waste.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/11/18/economy-stable-despite-concerns-over-corruption-probe-palace-1703">Economy stable despite concerns over corruption probe: Palace</a></div>He emphasized that every peso, rupee, and dollar lost to graft is stolen directly from communities relying on development institutions.Reaffirming the bank’s rigorous governance standards, Kanda said ADB is intensifying its efforts with member countries to prevent corruption before it occurs.“We are ready to work harder to plug the leaks and build systems that prevent graft before it starts,” he said. “With our partners, we want to build institutions that are immune to fraud.”But he noted that even the strongest rules cannot succeed without ethical people implementing them. “Rules on paper don’t change culture, people do.”As the event formally marked International Anticorruption Day, Kanda urged all attendees to act with commitment and urgency.“Integrity depends on each of us,” he said. “Every interaction, with clients, partners, and colleagues, is an opportunity to demonstrate our values. If we live these values consistently, we will build an Asia and Pacific region that is more open, more just, and free from corruption,” he said.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto urged Filipinos, both in the public and private sectors, to practice integrity in both major and daily decisions, emphasizing that anti-corruption reforms depend not only on laws but also on personal conviction.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto urged Filipinos, both in the public and private sectors, to practice integrity in both major and daily decisions, emphasizing that anti-corruption reforms depend not only on laws but also on personal conviction.

Vico Sotto tells ADB Forum: Clean governance starts with daily choices

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Business

Vico Sotto tells ADB Forum: Clean governance starts with daily choices

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 11, 2025 10:17 PM PHT

Read More:

Asian Development Bank

Vico Sotto

International Anti-corruption day celebration

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.