MAYOR Vico Sotto called on citizens to stand for what is right, saying that national heroes endured far more difficult struggles, during the National Heroes’ Day flag ceremony on Monday, Aug. 25.

“Sometimes there are people who ask me, ‘Vico, why are you so brave? Aren’t you afraid when you are in conflict with someone?’ But when they ask me that, I just smile,” Sotto said.

Vico encourages citizens on Heroes’ Day to be brave

He said that the Katipuneros in 1896 and the guerrillas in World War II went through far greater hardships., This news data comes from:http://www.gangzhifhm.com

“I’m here, in 2025, I’m trying to do it, I’m trying to listen, I’m trying to defend what I think is right, I’m trying to stand firm. But if we study the heroes that came before us, the Katipuneros in 1896, the guerrillas in World War II, their experiences were more difficult,” he added.

He reminded citizens to choose what is right and fight for change that benefits not only themselves but also the country.

“The beds we’re sleeping in are softer, but still we have to choose what is right, we have to fight for change, not only for ourselves, but for our country as well,” he said.

Vico encourages citizens on Heroes’ Day to be brave

The remarks came amid brewing controversy involving Sotto and journalists Korina Sanchez and Julius Babao over interviews they conducted with the Discayas, his political rivals in the 2025 elections.

On Sunday, Aug. 24, Sotto said that Pasig will seek full technical records of DPWH flood control projects, saying transparency is essential to accountability.

He said the city already received partial details such as project titles, costs, and locations from the new SumbongSaPangulo.ph website but the data remains incomplete.

To obtain the documents, Pasig will file a Freedom of Information request this week for access to the Program of Works, Bill of Quantities, and other bidding papers, while also engaging civil society groups for long-term monitoring. Sotto said the public deserves to know whether projects are truly completed and in order, adding that accountability builds trust in governance.