Vico Sotto: Let’s not use NBI issue for politics

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday urged the public not to use the issue involving his being invited to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for politics.

In a tweet, Sotto expressed thanks for the "overwhelming support" he has received, but added: "Ngunit 'wag na po sanang gamitin ang isyu na 'to para sa politika."

"(Pati naman mga opisyales ng nasyonal sinasabing mali ang nbi.) Panahon po ngayon ng KRISIS. Mula brgy hanggang nasyonal, kailangan maganda ang pakikipag-ugnayan." he said.

Thank you all for your overwhelming support. Ngunit wag na po sanang gamitin ang isyu na 'to para sa politika.

(Pati naman mga opisyales ng nasyonal sinasabing mali ang nbi.)

Panahon po ngayon ng KRISIS. Mula brgy hanggang nasyonal, kailangan maganda ang pakikipag-ugnayan.

— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) April 2, 2020

In a preceding tweet, Sotto said he agreed the issue has been "politicized and sensationalized," but claimed it was the bureau that leaked information to the media.

"Acc to NBI Deputy Dir. Lavin, the issue has been 'politicized and sensationalized,'" the mayor said. "I agree. But with all due respect sir, pls stop and think why it reached this point:"

"Side niyo ang nag-leak ng kopya ng sulat sa reporter. Nagpa-receive tao niyo sa opis ko, may kasama pang media," he added.

Acc to NBI Deputy Dir. Lavin, the issue has been "politicized & sensationalized."

I agree. But with all due respect sir, pls stop and think why it reached this point:

Side niyo ang nag-leak ng kopya ng sulat sa reporter. Nagpa-receive tao niyo sa opis ko, may kasama pang media.

— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) April 2, 2020

The NBI on Wednesday served Sotto an "invitation letter" asking him to explain his side on an alleged violation of national directives on imposing quarantines.

Sotto initially allowed tricycles to operate in his city despite the Luzon-wide public transportation ban, but eventually complied with the national policy after being told by higher authorities to explore other alternatives for transporting frontliners to their workplaces.

He also pointed out that the law he was alleged to have violated, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, was enacted after the tricycle issue. The 1987 Constitution prohibits the enactment of an ex post facto law.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra also said the penal provisions of any law are not applied retroactively -- or applied to acts committed before the law was in effect --  "unless the offense is a continuing one and its commission has not been stopped." — RSJ, GMA News