Vico Sotto decries smear campaign, probes exploitation of PWDs

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has denounced a social media smear campaign allegedly targeting his administration, which purportedly involved the exploitation of individuals, including a person with a mental disability.

Sotto stated that certain individuals are driven by a desire for money and power, leading them to exploit vulnerable people.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is investigating the "systematic exploitation" of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens for a negative political campaign in Pasig City.

DSWD is collaborating with the National Bureau of Investigation's Cybercrime Division and Meta to address the issue.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian confirmed that the victim was coerced into making disparaging statements against her will.

A video circulated online showed a woman expressing hope for rice assistance and claiming to have not yet received her monthly pension for PWDs or any local government aid.