Vico Sotto calls for calm following protest action at Discaya building

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto called for calm Thursday after protesters threw mud, vandalized, and shook the gate of a property owned by the Discaya family

In a Facebook post, Sotto said he understands the anger and frustration of the people "but let's not resort to violence or acts that could potentially lead to violence or injuries."

"Hindi naman 'yung mga corrupt ang masasaktan 'pag bumigay ang gate, hindi rin sila ang matatamaan ng bato. Nag-aalala ako para sa mga security guard, trabahador, at ralyista mismo," he said.

(It is not the corrupt people who will be hurt once the gate give in or hit by the rocks. I worry about the security guard, workers, and the rallyists themselves.)

On Thursday morning, protesters holding placards, banners, and megaphones trooped to St. Gerrard Construction building.

The rallyists were composed of flood victims and militant groups.

The Pasig mayor said the public should not feel hopeless as "the momentum is on the right side now."

"Let us continue to fight for ACCOUNTABILITY, STRONGER INSTITUTIONS, AND THE RULE OF LAW. There are no shortcuts," he added. 

He also assured the people that the local government will continue to do its part with investigation, case build up, and even prosecution not just for the Discaya companies. 

He said they are doing everything they can to help as they already have initial exchanges of information and coordination with at least five national government agencies.

"Nararamdaman din namin na bumibilis ang kilos nila ngayon. Tuloy din ang mga criminal case at administrative action natin sa LGU concerns gaya ng illegal building structures at business tax delinquencies," Sotto further said. 

(We feel that they are expediting their actions now. We also continue filing criminal cases and administrative actions against illegal building structures and business tax delinquencies.)

Malacañang also urged the public to stay calm saying President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. does not want the ongoing investigation to result in violence.

Companies owned by the Discayas were among the 15 contractors that President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos disclosed were awarded 20% of the total P545 billion budget of flood control projects.

On Monday, Sarah Discaya admitted owning nine construction firms that bid for projects with the Department of Public Works and Highways, and that there were times when the said companies bid against each other for the same projects.—AOL, GMA Integrated News