Atty. Ferdinand Topacio Confirms a Disqualification Case Has Been Filed Against Vico Sotto

Former Pasig City Hall staffer Vic Barral accuses Mayor Vico Sotto of vote-buying when he disbursed P7,500 in school allowance on May 7, 2025, within the 10-day window that forbids the transfer of public cash prior to elections. At a press conference in Pasig City on May 10, Barral’s attorney, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, displayed the case document his client submitted to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

This is in connection with the student allowances distributed last May 7, which the duo claims do not fall under the category of either medical or burial, which are exemptions when it comes to the abovementioned ban on spending public funds.

Barral said he first knew of the scholarship allowance distribution when he saw the Facebook page of the Pasig City LGU announcing this. He thought to himself; “Bakit magrerelease, eh alam ko naman na bawal yan?”

Topacio said that he has never been involved with any politician in previous elections. Topacio also mentioned how he defended Vico Sotto earlier this year from Darryl Yap who he thinks shouldn’t have released the Pepsi Paloma film trailer which indirectly damages a candidate’s reputation.

“Magkakaroon naman po siya ng pagkakataong irefute ang mga alegasyon ito,” said the controversial lawyer regarding the exercise of due process should Vico’s case eventually gets prosecuted.

Topacio is the national chairman of Citizens Crime Watch (CCW), which has just celebrated its 32nd anniversary. He reiterated that has connection with any politician in Pasig City.