Mayor Vico Sotto responded to NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin’s statement that the issue on NBI summon letter has been “politicized and sensationalized.”
In a tweet, Sotto said he agreed with what Lavin said but explained why the issue reached that point. “I agree. But with all due respect sir, pls stop and think why it reached this point,” he said.
The Pasig Mayor then revealed that it was the NBI who leaked the copy of the summon letter to a reporter. He also said the NBI went to his office accompanied by media.
“Side niyo and nag-leak ng kopya ng sulat as reporter. Nagpa-receive tao niyo as opis ko, may kasama pang media,” he added.
The National National Bureau of Investigation sent a letter to Sotto on April 1, asking him to explain on the allegations that violated the protocols of the Republic Act 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One-Act.
NBI Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin confirmed that they had sent Vico Sotto a letter requiring him to appear at their office on April 7.
In an interview with Jeff Canoy of ABS-CBN, the young mayor assured the public that Pasig has complied with the national government’s order from the start. He said he might have given an opinion but insisted they obeyed.
“Siguro nung panahon na issue yung tricycle, around March 18, nagbigay ako ng opinyon ko. Siguro yung pagbibigay ng opinyon, hindi naman illegal yun,” the mayor said.
(Maybe I gave an opinion, a call regarding the tricycle issue around March. But I think giving an opinion is not illegal.)
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) remained firm on banning tricycle as a means of transporting health workers and sick residents in Pasig despite the appeal of Sotto on March 19.
Mayor Vico also pointed out the NBI must have missed that the Bayanihan We Heal as One Act, which he allegedly violated, was implemented on March 24.
“Dun pa lang, kahit sinong abogado makikita na may mali dun sa sulat na binigay sakin,” he said.
(Just by that, any lawyer would see that there’s something wrong with the letter they gave me.)
Nonetheless, he would answer NBI’s letter through his lawyer. He also said he would cooperate for any investigation they will launch as they were not hiding anything.