Vico Sotto fires exec for alleged abusive behavior; exec leaves office empty

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said he has fired a head of office due to alleged abusive behavior and questionable practices. The executive, in turn, left the office almost bare and empty.

Sharing photos of the official's now-empty room on Facebook, Sotto wrote: "The pictures show how some people treat the government like their private property."

Without revealing the identity of said official, the Pasig City mayor emphasized that the current administration is "giving everyone a chance."

"Some of the most successful transitions in [local government units] have come with minimal changes in personnel. But we will deal with the abusive as they deserve, and with the full force of the law," Sotto said.

He also urged the public to report errant local government officials through phone (643-1111) or at the Pasig City Hall.

Other officials who left their offices bare when their terms ended are former Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña and former Cebu City Councilor Mary Ann Delos Santos.

The Department of the Local and Interior Government and the local government of Cebu City said they will file a case against Osmeña after he stripped his office of fixtures days before ending his term. 

Osmeña's office looked abandoned before the end of June since there were no more furniture, floor tiles, ceiling, and glass divider. Osmeña's executive officer said the mayor did not violate any law since he spent for the office's repair and renovation.

Delos Santos meanwhile left her office gutted of all furnishings after she lost in the May 2019 elections. —Margaret Claire Layug/KG, GMA News