Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday, February 19, personally went to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Political Finance and Affairs Department (PFAD) to file formal complaints of election overspending and perjury against former mayoral candidate Sarah Discaya.

Sotto alleges Discaya—a contractor and 2025 mayoral rival—violated campaign finance regulations by overspending beyond legal limits during the 2025 Pasig local elections and submitting inconsistent information in her campaign finance documents, which he says amounts to perjury under Philippine election law.

Discaya, who also serves as chief financial officer of St. Gerard Construction General Contractor and Development Corp., ran against Sotto in the May 2025 polls but lost by a wide margin.

The Comelec confirmed receipt of Sotto’s complaint and said the PFAD will begin reviewing the evidence submitted. Overspending violations can lead to disqualification from public office and potential criminal liability, while perjury charges stem from sworn statements containing alleged falsehoods or discrepancies.

Discaya’s campaign spending drew public attention earlier—records show her camp had reported spending over ₱1 billion by the start of the official election period, raising questions about compliance with legal spending ceilings.

The case adds to ongoing scrutiny surrounding the Discaya business interests and political activities. Sarah and her husband, Curlee Discaya, have also faced tax-related complaints and government contracting controversies, including allegations tied to flood control project contracts and unpaid tax allegations now moving through the Court of Tax Appeals.

Legal experts say the Comelec’s review process could take weeks or months, depending on the complexity of the evidence and responses from the parties involved.