Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto challenged the University of the Philippines College of Law Class of 2026 to uphold integrity and resist corruption as they begin their legal careers, saying the country’s future rests on a new generation of leaders unwilling to be “eaten by the system.”

Article (news)

Lyza Aquino

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Saturday challenged the University of the Philippines College of Law Class of 2026 to uphold integrity and resist corruption as they begin their legal careers, saying the country’s future rests on a new generation of leaders unwilling to be “eaten by the system. Speaking as guest of honor during the UP College of Law graduation rites in Quezon City on Saturday, Sotto addressed the school’s 298 graduates, reflecting on his own frustrations as a public official while expressing renewed optimism after seeing the graduating class.“You know many times as a government official, who has been trying his best to fight against the old norms, yung mga lumang kalakaran,” Sotto said. “As someone who has been trying to fight for positive reforms and changes in our government, I have to admit to you that many times, I feel frustrated almost every day… I feel a lack of hope. Parang ang hirap namang sabihin hopeless, but standing here… looking at your glowing faces, looking at the Class of 2026… I feel hopeful again. I feel a resurgence of hope in my heart.” Sotto said he has seen many young Filipinos actively speaking out against corruption instead of remaining indifferent.“I’ve seen some of your angry posts on social media. I’ve heard that many of you have attempted anti-corruption rallies, and part of the reason why I’m hopeful for our country… is that I know that you care and that you are not apathetic,” he said. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/5/up-diliman-graduation-blends-celebration-public-service-and-calls-for-accountability-1611">More than 5,000 graduate at UP Diliman as commencement blends celebration, public service, and calls for accountability </a> </div>The mayor acknowledged that reforming government is far more complicated than it appears, citing recurring corruption controversies.“We see things like the flood control scandal… 10 to 15 years ago, hindi ba’t parang ’yun din naman ang nangyari noong Napoles scam? PDAF scam. Ano bang nangyari noon? Opo may nakulong, pero lahat ba nakulong?” “Tingnan natin yung mga nangyayari ngayon, parang umuulit lang pero parang mas malaki pa ang mga halaga… Sa isanglibong sangkot… ilan pa ho kaya ang mapapanagot? Baka masaya na tayo kung may limampung mapakulong at mapanagot doon sa libong involved.”Sotto said one of the questions he is most frequently asked by students and young professionals is how they can preserve their integrity when entering public service. “Mayor Vico, papaano ako hindi makakain ng sistema? How do I maintain my integrity if I want to enter government? How do I stand up to my boss who is pressuring me to do certain things that I know are immoral, illegal or unethical?”He urged the graduates to first examine themselves before attempting to reform society. “Sa Facebook, galit tayo sa corrupt, pero kapag may exam tayo nandaraya tayo,” he said.He warned that lawyers and professionals may one day face pressure to participate in bribery, falsify records, manipulate financial reports, or contribute to misinformation. “Wherever life takes you, you will eventually be pressured by others, or tempted by circumstances, into crossing ethical boundaries, compromising your principles and breaking your integrity.”Sotto also shared an anecdote involving an unsolicited proposal presented to Pasig City, where a contractor allegedly asked city officials about the percentage of the supposed “SOP,” or kickback.“Ang tinanong nila sa aking city administrator ay, ‘Magkano ang SOP? Ilang percent ba sa Pasig City?’”According to Sotto, the city administrator replied, “Huwag ninyo kaming tanungin ng ganyan. Zero percent ang SOP namin. Wala kaming ganyan sa Pasig.”<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people-culture-events/2026/7/2/atom-araullo-urges-up-baguio-graduates-to-be-the-right-kind-of-difficult-1128">Atom Araullo urges UP Baguio graduates to be &#x27;the right kind of difficult&#x27; </a> </div>The mayor said the contractor’s reaction illustrated how normalized corruption has become.“Ha? Talaga? Zero percent? Totoo pala na walang SOP sa Pasig. Akala namin sa balita lang ’yun, akala namin sabi-sabi lang ’yun.”“Parang nakarating na tayo sa punto kung saan mas nakakagulat pa kung may nakasalubong kang honest kaysa sa corrupt,” he added.Sotto stressed that systemic corruption begins with small compromises that gradually become institutionalized. “Institutionalized ba ang kickbacks ng DPWH o rigged bidding sa DPWH? Hindi naman ’yan nagsimula na ganyan na siya. Nagsimula ’yan sa isang kontrata, nagsimula ’yan sa maliit na padulas, nagsimula ’yan sa maliit na bribe, and progressively it got bigger and bigger.”To help young professionals avoid being “eaten by the system,” Sotto shared what he called his personal list of 10 principles, including preparing more than relying on courage, identifying non-negotiable values, choosing integrity over money and power, avoiding echo chambers, keeping one’s ego in check, surrounding oneself with people who share the same values, allowing trusted people to hold one accountable, and being willing to challenge the status quo.He said Pasig City’s reforms were not perfect but demonstrated that meaningful institutional change is possible. “Sinusubukan naming gawin sa Pasig, hindi po siya perpektong modelo… pero siguro yung kahalagahan ng ginagawa namin sa Pasig ay pinakita namin na kahit mahirap, posible ang pagbabago ng luma at bulok na sistema. Posibleng talikuran ang mga lumang kalakaran kahit matagal na itong nakaugat sa ating mga institution, sa ating kultura.”Sotto reminded the graduates that the progress seen today was built upon years of work by reform advocates who came before them. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/7/5/vice-ganda-urges-up-cmc-graduates-to-use-their-voices-for-truth-justice-and-change-1746">Vice Ganda urges UP CMC graduates to use their voices for truth, justice, and change</a></div>In his closing message, Sotto told the graduates that the country’s future would depend not on a single political leader but on the next generation’s commitment to integrity.“There will be no savior of our nation. How fast we go will depend on you — the incoming generation of leaders and changemakers.” “When you find yourself at the crossroads, will you choose the easier, more convenient path to success or will you stand with integrity? Will you stand for truth and justice. To the Class of 2026, may you become great lawyers, who will not only lead with excellence but also with integrity.”<div> </div>

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto challenged the University of the Philippines College of Law Class of 2026 to uphold integrity and resist corruption as they begin their legal careers, saying the country’s future rests on a new generation of leaders unwilling to be “eaten by the system.”

Vico Sotto tells UP Law Class of 2026: 'Fight corruption, don’t be eaten by the system’

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Vico Sotto tells UP Law Class of 2026: 'Fight corruption, don’t be eaten by the system’

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 11, 2026 04:44 PM PHT

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