2025 Pasig local elections

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2025 Pasig local elections
Pasig City Seal Logo.svg
  2022 May 12, 2025 (2025-05-12)2028 
Mayoral election
 
Vico Sotto, Official Portrait 2025 (cropped).jpg
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Candidate Vico Sotto Sarah Discaya
Party Independent UGB
Alliance Giting ng Pasig Team Kaya This
Running mate Robert Jaworski Jr. Iyo Bernardo
Popular vote351,39229,591
Percentage92.09%7.75%

Mayor before election

Vico Sotto
Giting ng Pasig

Elected mayor

Vico Sotto
Giting ng Pasig

Vice mayoral election
 
Robert Jaworski Jr., Official Portrait 2025 (cropped).jpg
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Candidate Robert Jaworski Jr. Iyo Bernardo
Party Independent Independent
Alliance Giting ng Pasig Team Kaya This
Popular vote290,23772,227
Percentage78.84%19.62%

Vice Mayor before election

Robert Jaworski Jr.
Giting ng Pasig

Elected Vice Mayor

Robert Jaworski Jr.
Giting ng Pasig

Local elections were held in Pasig on Monday, May 12, 2025, as part of the 2025 Philippine general election. The electorate will elect a mayor, a vice mayor, twelve members of the Pasig City Council, and one representative to the House of Representatives of the Philippines. The officials elected in the election will assume their respective offices on June 30, 2025, for a three-year-long term.

Contents

The election is primarily contested around the two rival tickets Giting ng Pasig headed by the reelectionist Mayor Vico Sotto, and Team Kaya This, headed by businesswoman Sarah Discaya. Sotto is running for this third and final term as Mayor of Pasig, having been in office since 2019.

Background

Several graft cases have been filed against incumbent mayor Vico Sotto, the first ones he has faced in his political career, which he believes are politically motivated. [1] The cases stem from allegedly distributing shirts instead of cash allowances to city hall employees, [2] and for allegedly giving an illegal tax discount to telco company Converge ICT. [3] In addition, a petition for a temporary restraining order has also been filed against the implementation of Mayor Sotto's flagship project, the ₱9.6-billion reconstruction of the Pasig City Hall Complex. [4]

Candidates

Note: Candidates in italics indicate incumbents seeking reelection.

Notes
  1. Supsup-Lee was initially part of Team Kaya This until she withdrew from the slate on April 7, 2025. [5]

Campaign

Discaya had spent more than 1 billion by the start of the campaign period on March 28, 2025. [6]

Discaya is campaigning on a platform centered on increased infrastructure spending, with the goal of transforming Pasig into a "smart city." She has outlined plans for several major projects aimed at improving the quality of life for residents. Discaya also said she was compelled to run for mayor in response to what she described as Mayor Sotto's "baseless" accusations against her construction company. Additionally, she has criticized Sotto for prioritizing "good governance" over essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. [7] [8] [9]

Mayor Sotto has also criticized a concert held by the St. Gerrard Construction Charity Foundation, led by Curlee Discaya and his wife Sarah, for not securing permits from the city hall, which were countered by the foundation's insistence that it was held within the private Arcovia City estate. [10] The aforementioned couple's St. Gerrard Construction and Development Corporation have previously had their projects in Barangay Bambang suspended by Mayor Sotto for lack of building permits and violating the terms of one of their approved permits. [11] In 2020, the firm was also blacklisted from all government projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways for a period of one year for missing project deadlines. [12]

Meanwhile, the Discayas, former city councilor Mario Concepcion Jr., and former Bambang barangay captain Reynaldo Samson Jr. have joined the ruling Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in anticipation of a 2025 run. [13] The party has regarded Sarah Discaya, through her charity work in the city, as a "winnable mayoral candidate". [14]

Mayoral election

Incumbent mayor Vico Sotto is on his second consecutive term, having won his reelection bid in 2022. He is eligible to run for a third and final consecutive term.

Candidates

Results

2025 Pasig Mayoral election
CandidatePartyVotes%
Vico Sotto (incumbent) Independent 351,39292.09
Sarah Discaya Unyon ng mga Gabay ng Bayan29,5917.75
Cory Palma Independent 3080.08
Eagle Ayaon Independent 2960.08
Total381,587100.00
Giting ng Pasig/Independent hold

Controversies

On April 14, 2025, Mayor Sotto publicly claimed that his challenger, Sarah Discaya, used a British passport earlier that year—an allegation that, he argued, could raise questions about her eligibility to run for public office under Republic Act (RA) No. 9225. Sotto said he received reports about Discaya's January flight details but opted not to pursue a disqualification case, asserting his desire to distance his campaign from traditional political tactics. In response, Discaya's legal counsel maintained that she is a dual citizen by birth—born in London to Filipino parents—and therefore not subject to RA 9225's renunciation requirement, citing a 2022 Supreme Court ruling. [17]

In the months after the election, two of Discaya's construction firms, Alpha & Omega Gen. Contracting and Development Corp. and St. Timothy Construction Corp., were enumerated second and third among the firms that received the most number of government flood control projects in the country. [18] [19]

Vice mayoral election

Incumbent vice mayor Robert Jaworski Jr. is on his first term, having won his seat in the 2022 Pasig local elections. He is eligible to run for his second consecutive term.

Candidates

Results

2025 Pasig Vice Mayoral election
CandidatePartyVotes%
Robert Jaworski Jr. (incumbent) Independent 290,23778.84
Iyo Christian Bernardo Independent 72,22719.62
Marc dela Cruz Independent 5,6581.54
Total368,122100.00
Giting ng Pasig/Independent hold

City Council election

The Pasig City Council has 14 members, 12 of which are elected via plurality block voting for three-year terms. It is divided into two city council districts, with six councilors each.

First district

The first city council district is composed of the western and southern barangays of the city, namely Bagong Ilog, Bagong Katipunan, Bambang, Buting, Caniogan, Kalawaan, Kapasigan, Kapitolyo, Malinao, Oranbo, Palatiw, Pineda, Sagad, San Antonio, San Joaquin, San Jose, San Nicolas, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Santo Tomas, Sumilang, and Ugong.

The administration coalition won a majority of the district's seats in 2022, winning five of the six contested seats.

Term-limited councilors

Results

2025 Pasig City Council election in the 1st district
CandidateParty or allianceVotes%
Simon Romulo Tantoco (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig NPC 113,22275.38
Kiko Rustia (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig NPC 108,71572.38
Pao Santiago (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig NPC 95,56663.62
Volta Delos Santos (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig AKAY 92,16861.36
Eric Gonzales (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig NPC 78,62252.34
Paul Senogat Giting ng Pasig Akbayan 76,25750.77
Shamcey Supsup-Lee Independent 42,98728.62
Rex BalderramaTeam Kaya This Nacionalista 37,70525.10
Richie PuaTeam Kaya This PMP 28,47518.96
Jess GaviolaTeam Kaya This Nacionalista 27,49718.31
Ron AngelesTeam Kaya This PMP 26,39217.57
Tantan Ambrosio ReyesTeam Kaya This Independent 22,66815.09
JR SamsonTeam Kaya This Independent 17,83311.87
Jemar Pascual Reform PH 12,1318.08
Ram Cruz Liberal 9,6286.41
Total789,866100.00

Second District

The second city council district is composed of the northern and eastern barangays of the city, namely Dela Paz, Manggahan, Maybunga, Pinagbuhatan, Rosario, San Miguel, Santa Lucia, and Santolan.

The administration coalition won a majority of the district's seats in 2022, winning five of the six contested seats.

Term-limited councilors

Results

2025 Pasig City Council election in the 2nd district
CandidateParty or allianceVotes%
Angelu de Leon (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig Independent 199,55484.61
Maro Martires (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig Independent 159,59667.67
Bobby Agustin (incumbent) Giting ng Pasig NPC 148,44662.94
Warren Inocencio Giting ng Pasig Independent 144,93361.45
Boyie Raymundo Giting ng Pasig NPC 138,91958.90
Ryan Enriquez Giting ng Pasig PDP 111,85347.43
Syvel Asilo (incumbent) Nacionalista 85,64636.31
Mario "Jun-Jun" Concepcion Jr.Team Kaya This PMP 70,08429.72
Kaye dela CruzTeam Kaya This Independent 64,27827.25
Ara Mina Team Kaya This Lakas 58,10824.64
Willy SityarTeam Kaya This Nacionalista 49,09920.82
Steve de AsisTeam Kaya This Nacionalista 36,58915.51
Bobby Hapin Independent 23,3319.89
Ed Gavino Independent 20,5188.70
JR Balingit Independent 18,9108.02
Mer Añon Independent 13,2535.62
Total1,343,117100.00

House of Representatives election

The city elects one representative to the House of Representatives. The incumbent is Roman Romulo, who is on his second consecutive term. He is eligible to run for a third and final consecutive term.

Candidates

Results

2025 Philippine House of Representatives election in Pasig's at-large district
CandidatePartyVotes%
Roman Romulo (incumbent) Nationalist People's Coalition 348,93995.40
Ian Sia Independent 16,8294.60
Total365,768100.00
Nationalist People's Coalition hold

Disqualification of Christian Sia

On April 2, 2025, Christian Sia drew controversy during a campaign rally in barangay Pinagbuhatan after making sexually suggestive remarks towards single mothers. He jokingly offered women who still menstruate and are lonely the opportunity to sleep with him once a year, later clarifying that he was married and that the comments were just a joke. [21]

Videos and clips of his speech soon went viral on social media drawing widespread condemnation from various groups and political figures. [21] Organizations such as the women’s rights group Gabriela, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine Commission on Women, among others, issued statements denouncing his remarks. [22] [23] [24] On April 5, 2025, Sia apologized in a press conference for his remarks about single mothers, acknowledged that his comments were a poor choice and inappropriate in the context of a political campaign, but blamed the uploader of the video. [25] The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) issued a show-cause order, citing possible violations of anti-discrimination rules. The Solo Parents Party-list filed a complaint, and Sia was suspended from campaign activities for three days by his party. [26] In response to his comments, the Solo Parents Partylist has filed a formal complaint against Sia with the COMELEC. [27] Sia has also been barred from joining any more campaign events for three days by his party.

On April 8, 2025, while campaigning in barangay Sagad, Sia made another controversial remark, this time perceived as body-shaming towards a former female staff member, commenting on her weight gain after changing employers. This incident led the COMELEC to issue a second show-cause order on April 8, 2025, requiring Sia to explain why he should not be charged with an election offense or disqualification, citing potential violations of anti-discrimination and fair campaigning guidelines. [28]

COMELEC's second division disqualified Sia on May 7, 2025, five days before the election. [29] [30]

Notes

    References

    1. Domingo, Katrina (August 26, 2024). "Vico Sotto: 'Disgruntled' ex-City Hall workers part of group behind graft cases". Abante. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    2. Servallos, Neil Jayson (August 20, 2024). "Vico Sotto, 3 others face graft raps". Philippine Star. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    3. Panti, Llanesca (August 13, 2024). "Mayor Vico Sotto faces graft complaint over alleged illegal discount to telco". GMA News Online. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    4. "TRO sought vs. new Pasig city hall project". GMA News Online. August 21, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    5. Serquiña, Mariel Celine (April 8, 2025). "Shamcey Supsup leaves Pasig political party". GMA News. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
    6. Gotinga, JC (May 14, 2025). "It was only Sarah Discaya's first time". Rappler . Rappler Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
    7. Escosio, Jan; jvicente (March 14, 2025). "Pasig mayoral bet Sarah Discaya to transform Pasig to smart city". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    8. jcgotinga0208 (March 27, 2025). "'Oh come on': Vico Sotto calls out rival Sarah Discaya for 'dishonesty'". RAPPLER. Retrieved April 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
    9. Domingo, Katrina (April 10, 2024). "'Vico provoked us to run': St. Gerrard owner says Sotto using construction firm for publicity". ABS-CBN. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    10. Alcober, Neil (October 1, 2024). "Pasig mayor slams concert". Daily Tribune. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    11. Garcia, Patrick (January 26, 2024). "'4 floors lang pero naging 5 floors': Mayor Vico halts construction projects without building permits". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    12. DPWH Department Order No. 20 (January 31, 2020), Blacklisting of St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation (PDF)
    13. 1 2 "Partido ni PBBM may pambato sa pagka-mayor ng Pasig City". Abante. August 30, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
    14. Go, Miriam Grace (March 29, 2025). "Pasig: Is good governance something you take against a mayor?". RAPPLER. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    15. Manabat, Johnson (October 7, 2024). "Owner of St. Gerrard Corp. formalizes bid for Pasig City mayor". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
    16. 1 2 Domingo, Katrina (October 5, 2024). "Vico Sotto, Dodot Jaworski file candidacy for re-election in Pasig 2025 race". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
    17. Flores, Dominique Nicole (April 16, 2025). "Sarah Discaya says she was born in London, defends eligibility in Pasig mayoral race". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
    18. Bajo, Anna Felicia (August 11, 2025). "LIST: 15 contractors with most flood control projects". GMA News Online . GMA Network, Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
    19. De Leon, Dwight (August 11, 2025). "Some top flood control contractors name-dropped by Marcos had links to Zaldy Co, Discayas". Rappler . Rappler Inc. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
    20. Domingo, Katrina (October 4, 2024). "'Vico provoked us to run': St. Gerrard owner says Sotto using construction firm for publicity". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
    21. 1 2 Gotinga, JC (April 3, 2025). "Pasig candidate Ian Sia says single mothers may sleep with him". RAPPLER. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    22. Mendoza, John Eric; postie (April 4, 2025). "DSWD calls out Pasig House bet Ian Sia for joke vs single moms: 'Not funny'". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    23. Abad, Michelle (April 5, 2025). "Sexist humor has no place in public discourse – PCW". RAPPLER. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    24. Mendoza, John Eric; jvicente (April 4, 2025). "Poll watchdog to Pasig House bet Christian Sia: Just back out". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    25. Mendoza, John Eric; mareyes (April 4, 2025). "Ian Sia apologizes for 'joke' about single moms". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    26. Villanueva, Rhodina; Clapano, Jose Rodel; Macababbad, EJ. "Pasig bet ordered: Explain lewd joke on single mothers". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    27. Sampang, Dianne; jvicente (April 4, 2025). "Solo Parents Party-list files election case vs Pasig bet Christian Sia". Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
    28. Jaymalin, Mayen (April 9, 2025). "Comelec summons Pasig bet anew for body shaming". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
    29. Locus, Sia (April 22, 2025). "Comelec 2nd Division issues summons vs Pasig bet Ian Sia". GMA News. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
    30. Locus, Sundy (May 8, 2025). "Comelec 2nd division disqualifies Pasig bet Sia over 'single mom' jokes". GMA News. Retrieved May 8, 2025.