MANILA — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski officially filed their certificates of candidacy on Saturday at the local Commission on Elections office, confirming their re-election bids for the 2025 midterm elections.
Both Sotto and Jaworski will be running as independent candidates after leaving Aksyon Demokratiko earlier this year.
Sotto, reflecting on his current term, highlighted the progress made in the city. “In our first term, we initiated many reforms and introduced significant changes.
The second term was about institutionalizing these reforms. Now, in the third term, this is where things get exciting,” he said.
“Our focus now is to continue the good programs we’ve started and to address any gaps by expanding existing initiatives,” Sotto added.
Among his priorities are enhancing the pension system for Pasig’s senior citizens and constructing a new city hall.
“We’re really looking forward to the next three years. We just want to keep the work going, but of course, these elections every three years are very important,” he emphasized.
Vice Mayor Jaworski, should he secure a second term, plans to prioritize local legislation focused on livelihood to complement his education policies.
“Our people need decent jobs, but we also need to equip them with the right skills to tap into the industries available here in Pasig,” Jaworski explained.
“Solving poverty in Pasig is a top priority. It’s a community-wide effort, not just something the government can do alone,” he added.
Sotto will likely face Sarah Discaya, a businesswoman and owner of St. Gerrard General Contractor and Development Corporation (SGGCDC), in the mayoral race.
Meanwhile, Jaworski’s main rival is expected to be former Pasig Vice Mayor Iyo Caruncho Bernardo.
Sotto was accompanied by his parents, veteran actors Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes, while Jaworski attended the filing with his wife, Olympian Mikee Cojuangco, and their three sons.