Pasig Received $1M Grant; Vico not to run for higher office yet

Posted by ReyFort Media

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has been named one of the 24 global winners of Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge 2025-2026, a competition that aims to develop bold and innovative solutions to improve residents’ lives in different cities around the world.

The competition pushed participating cities to go beyond the usual, encouraging leaders to rethink how core public services can be delivered more effectively with real, people-centered impact.

As part of the win, each city, including Pasig, will receive a $1 million grant, along with operational support and additional funding for dedicated teams tasked with scaling their innovations and turning ideas into lasting solutions.

The journey was far from easy.

More than 630 cities from 33 countries joined the challenge, with only 50 making it to the final round.

PASIG CITY’S WINNING CONCEPT

In the Philippines, three cities reached the final phase—Pasig, Butuan, and Manila.

Only Pasig emerged as one of the 24 winning cities from 20 countries.

Pasig’s winning concept focuses on creating more open public spaces by transforming barges into floating parks along the Pasig River.

Meanwhile TV host Vic Sotto believes that running for a high position in government is a calling.

Vic has spoken out about the public’s call for his son, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, to run for a national position, including the presidency.

The host of the longest-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga” also knows that Vico is not yet qualified to run for president of the Philippines.

Based on the law stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, a presidential candidate must be 40 years old on election day. Currently, Vico is only 36 years old.

“The age is not right yet. Kadalasan kapag nababanggit si Vico, it’s always praises for him. Siyempre, proud tatay naman ako,” Vic told Ogie Diaz Showbiz Updates.

“As far as I’m concerned, ‘yung desisyon nasa kanya ‘yon, e. Siguro baka magpahinga lang sandali. And I’m sure he’s back. ‘Yung serbisyo publiko nasa dugo na niya ‘yun, e,” he added.

Vico previously mentioned that after his term as mayor of Pasig City, he plans to teach first.

“Ang plano ko, balikan ‘yung mga hindi ko nagawa dahil tumakbo akong mayor. I’d like to teach if I have an opportunity. That’s one thing,” the young politician said in an interview.

Before he served as Pasig mayor, Vico taught Social Science at Arellano University for one semester

 (J.M. Severo/ Philstar; R. Siason/pep)

Photo credit: theglobalfilipinomagazine.com