Vico Sotto urges UP law graduates to resist everyday corruption

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto challenged graduates of the University of the Philippines College of Law to remain steadfast in their integrity, saying the country’s biggest corruption scandals began with small ethical compromises.

Serving as the commencement speaker during the UP College of Law Recognition Rites on Saturday, July 11, Sotto acknowledged the frustration many young Filipinos feel over recurring corruption scandals but urged the graduating class not to lose hope.

“I’ve seen some of your posts on social media, some of your angry posts. I’ve heard that many of you have attended anti-corruption rallies,” Sotto said.

“Part of the reason why I’m hopeful for our country […] is that I know that you care. You’re not apathetic.”

‘How do I not get swallowed by the system?’

Sotto admitted the question he hears most often from students and young leaders is not about achieving success but about preserving integrity.

“‘Mayor,’ or ‘Vico,’ paano ako hindi makakain ng sistema?” he said, recalling what young people frequently ask him.

Others, he said, ask how they can resist bosses who pressure them into doing “something immoral, illegal, or unethical.”

He told the graduates that they will eventually encounter moments in their careers where they will have to choose between convenience and principle.

“There will come a time when you become part of a team […] where they say there is a standard operating procedure, or an automatic kickback,” Sotto said.

He added that others may face pressure to buy votes, falsify records, commit fraud, or contribute to disinformation.

“Wherever life takes you, you will eventually be pressured by others or tempted by circumstance into crossing ethical boundaries,” he said.

READ: Vico Sotto hopes ‘more will be imprisoned’ after Curlee Discaya’s arrest

Corruption starts small

Reflecting on recent controversies, Sotto cited alleged flood control anomalies and compared them with the pork barrel scam that dominated headlines more than a decade ago.

He questioned why major corruption cases continue to recur despite previous prosecutions.

“Sa isang libo na sangkot […] ilan kaya ang makukulong at mapapanagot?” he asked. (Of the thousands who were involved, how many will be punished?)

Instead of viewing corruption as an inevitable system, Sotto said Filipinos should remember that every institutional problem began with individual decisions.

“Everything systemic […] started out with one decision, with one small practice,” he said.

He noted that institutionalized kickbacks and bid-rigging did not begin as large-scale schemes.

“Nagsimula ‘yan sa isang kontrata, nagsimula ‘yan sa maliit na padulas, nagsimula ‘yan sa maliit na bribe.” (It started with one contract, it started with small grease money, it started with a small bribe.)

Looking inward

While Sotto said citizens have every right to criticize corruption in government, he also encouraged graduates to examine their own actions.

“It is easy to criticize public officials,” he said. “But before we aim to change society […] maybe we should look inwards first.”

He pointed to everyday examples of dishonesty, saying some people denounce corruption online while cheating during examinations.

According to Sotto, protecting one’s integrity begins with refusing seemingly minor unethical acts before they grow into larger forms of corruption.

Zero-percent SOP

Sotto also shared an incident involving Pasig City’s procurement process.

He said a company presenting an unsolicited proposal asked his city administrator how much the city’s “SOP,” or kickback, would be.

His administration’s response, he said, was straightforward.

“‘Zero porsyento ang SOP namin. Wala kaming ganyan sa Pasig,'” Sotto recalled. (Our SOP is zero percent. We don’t do that in Pasig.)

The representatives reportedly appeared surprised, replying that they thought Pasig’s no-kickback policy existed only in news reports.

The experience, Sotto said, reflects a troubling reality.

“Parang nakarating na tayo sa punto kung saan mas nakakagulat pa kapag may nakasalubong kang honest kaysa sa corrupt.”

(It’s like we’ve reached a point where it’s more shocking to encounter someone who is honest than someone who is corrupt.)

READ: On ‘Vico for president’ calls: ‘He decides,’ says Vic Sotto

Vico Sotto’s message to future lawyers

The UP College of Law traditionally allows its graduating class to choose its commencement speaker.

This year, the college selected Sotto in recognition of his contributions to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in public service.

Addressing the future lawyers, Sotto acknowledged that remaining hopeful would not always be easy.

“It won’t always be easy to remain hopeful,” he said.

“It will be even harder to stay the course and maintain your integrity as professionals and as citizens of our Republic.”

He ended by reminding graduates that changing institutions begins with individual choices, especially when they stand at ethical crossroads throughout their careers.

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