MANILA — What was meant to be a bombshell election complaint against Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has instead backfired on his accusers.

Just days before the Philippine midterm elections, lawyer Ferdinand “Ferdie” Topacio and his client, former city hall employee Vic Barral, filed a vote-buying complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec), accusing the popular mayor of distributing scholarship allowances on May 7 — allegedly in violation of election laws.

Under Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code, the distribution of government aid is prohibited within ten days of the election — unless an exemption is granted by the Comelec.

But here’s the kicker: Comelec had already granted Sotto that exemption weeks before the alleged violation.

Apparently, no one told Topacio.

Pressed by reporters after Sotto’s camp released official documents showing that the scholarship program had been duly exempted, a visibly stunned Topacio admitted he had no knowledge of the Comelec exemption.

The moment quickly turned what was supposed to be a legal grenade into a political dud, leaving Topacio and Barral appearing embarrassingly unprepared.

Sotto, meanwhile, remained composed and silent — letting the documents speak for themselves.

A frontrunner for reelection, the young reformist mayor is widely known for transparency and clean governance. Supporters praised how he handled the controversy, with many saying he defused the complaint effortlessly.

Online, netizens dismissed the complaint as a failed attempt to smear Sotto’s candidacy.

“Ay! Ano ba ‘yan? Zero research. Lawyer Ferdie Topacio accepted this case without knowing all the facts?” said Marites V. “Suspicious move. May moneyed forces at work, who want to regain control of Pasig City Hall because they lost their easy sources of wealth.”

“Topacio proving again he is incompetent,” commented Rommel L.

Jamie A. added: “’Di man lang prepared sa maninira, kulang sa homework ang mga kampon ng kadiliman.”

The Comelec has yet to officially rule on the complaint, but with the exemption clearly on record, insiders say the case is likely to be dismissed.

As for Topacio and Barral? They may have just learned a valuable lesson in Philippine politics: always check the paperwork before calling a press con.

📷 Vico Sotto FB