Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto was among 12 individuals from around the world recognized by the United States government for their "anti-corruption" programs.
Pasig City mayor first and only Filipino honored by US government for 'anti-corruption' practices
From the start of his term in 2019, Pasig City Mayor Victor "Vico" Sotto has won praise and recognition for his reforms.
In a country where corruption is a way of life, Sotto gained prominence not only due to his defeating a prominent political dynasty but also for his drive to root out graft in his city.
Now the new United States administration has recognized Sotto as one of the world's "anti-corruption champions."
The Pasig City mayor was chosen along with 11 other individuals as winners of the first International Anticorruption Champions Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership, courage, and impact in preventing, exposing, and combating corruption.
The award, launched under the administration of President Joe Biden, advances Washington's support of "anti-corruption leaders and innovators".
Sotto is described as "a standard-bearer for a new generation of Philippine politicians who prioritize anti-corruption and transparency initiatives in their election campaigns and in office."
The State Department said Sotto’s prior work on the city council resulted in the freedom of information legislation that allowed city residents to request documents without having to provide a justification – the first such law in the Metro Manila area.
"Sotto has sought to solidify his reputation as a fresh voice with a new, more transparent approach to governance," it said. "
He pledged to avoid any kickbacks in the awarding of city contracts, established a 24/7 public information and complaints hotline, formally involved civil society organizations in the city’s budgeting and policymaking, and mandated that the value of all city government contracts be reduced by at least 10 percent – a measure intended to reduce bribery in the contract awarding process.”
The other champions named this year are:
1. Ardian Dvorani, judge and member of the Justice Appointments Council of Albania;
2. Diana Salazar, Ecuador’s attorney general;
3. Sophia Pretrick, investigative advisor for the Compliance Investigation Division of the Pohnpei State Auditor of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM);
4. Juan Francisco Sandoval Alfaro, chief of the Special Prosecutors Office Against Corruption and Impunity in Guatemala;
5. Ibrahima Kalil Gueye, Chair and co-founder of the Organization for Positive Change, an NGO focusing on good governance, peace, and education in Guinea;
6. Anjali Bhardwaj, an active member of the Right to Information Movement in India;
7. Dhuha A. Mohammed, director-general for Electronic Payments at the Central Bank of Iraq;
8. Mustafa Abdullah Sanalla, chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation;
9. Francis Ben Kaifala, commissioner of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC);
10. Ruslan Ryaboshapka, former prosecutor general in Ukraine; and
11. Bolot Temirov, investigative journalist and editor-in-chief of Factcheck.kg in the Kyrgyz Republic.
“The State Department continues to stand by citizens around the world calling for transparent, accountable governments. We proudly recognize these international champions of anticorruption and all those who have taken a stand against corruption,” the State Department said.
(ONT/With report from PNA)