Vico Sotto files election overspending, perjury raps vs Discaya

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February 19, 2026 | 4:53pm

MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto filed a complaint before the Commission on Elections on Thursday, February 19, against former mayoral candidate and embattled contractor Sarah Discaya, accusing her of overspending and perjury during the 2025 electoral campaign period.

In the complaint-affidavit shared with reporters, Sotto alleged that Discaya's Statement of Contributions and Expenditures — the financial disclosure all candidates are required to submit after elections — was materially false and omitted significant campaign expenses.

Discaya, who lost to Sotto by more than 320,000 votes, declared only P895,000 in total campaign spending. Every peso was logged under a single category: stationery, printing and distribution of printed materials. She reported zero spending on digital advertisements, billboards, rallies, and caucuses.

But Sotto's complaint points to at least two video ads that appeared to be "professionally rendered" and appeared on YouTube during the campaign period — one uploaded March 28, 2025, another on April 1 — both bearing disclaimers that they were paid for by Discaya. A second ad stated it was contributed by the Chicco Francisco Family on her behalf. 

Both videos were indicated as having been uploaded by the YouTube channel DPRS One Channel, which calls itself the "most-viewed Philippine TV ad archive channel on YouTube." 

Sotto says neither the ads nor their costs appeared in Discaya's SOCE.

As of posting, one of the two videos in question is no longer available on YouTube as of posting. 

Large billboards across Pasig City similarly carried her name as the paying advertiser, according to the affidavit.

Sotto's complaint says no billboard rental — whether as an expense or a contribution — was reported.

Discaya's spending ceiling for the 2025 elections was P1,391,655, computed at P3.00 per registered voter across Pasig City's 463,885 registered voters. 

Sotto argues that once Discaya's unaccounted expenses are correctly valued, she would have likely blown past that limit — a violation of the Omnibus Election Code.

On top of the election offense case based on alleged overspending, Sotto is also seeking a perjury case against Discaya under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, arguing she knowingly made false statements when she submitted the SOCE under oath before a notary public. 

"[Considering] the glaring deficiencies in Respondent's SOCE, it is clear that Respondent made a material untruthful statement on her SOCE which she executed under oath [...] As such, the offense of perjury may have been committed," Sotto wrote. 

Sotto filed the complaint as a "concerned citizen" who is seeking to preserve the integrity of the electoral system, according to the document. He is represented by the Macalintal Law Office. 

"Sa totoo, ayaw ko na rin gawin to dahil makakaabaala din. Pero gusto natin sa lungsod ng Pasig kailangan sumunod ka sa batas, kailangan sumunod ka sa election law. Pag kailangan mo ideclare lahat ng gastusin mo, kailangan ideclare mo nang maayos," Sotto told reporters on Thursday.

(Actually, I don't want to do this because it would be a bother. But we want for people in the city of Pasig to bey the law, including election law. If you have to declare all your expenses, you have to declare them properly.)

To recall, Discaya received only 29,591 votes against Sotto's 351,392 in the May 2025 elections.  

Election overspending cases in the Philippines rarely result in conviction, but a finding of guilt carries perpetual disqualification from public office for repeat offenders under Republic Act 7166.