Sotto supports vendors against privatization of Carbon market

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

Senate President Vicente Sotto III

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III has committed to help block the privatization of the Carbon public market in Cebu City and boost the small businesses of vendors in the district.

Sotto, who is running for vice president in the May 9 elections alongside Sen. Panfilo Lacson, told members of the Karbuhamo Alyansa during a townhall meeting that he is against the privatization of public infrastructure because of the corruption that commonly attends such undertaking.

“Kami po ay hindi sang-ayon sa mga privatization na ganyan dahil may mga taong nakikinabang oras na may privatization na pinag-uusapan, malamang may corruption. Madalas may lagay,” Sotto said.

He stressed: “Carbon public market is a Cebuano heritage, panahon pa ng mga Kastila, Carbon public market na ‘yun. Kaya hindi pwedeng galawin ‘yun.”

Sotto recalled that his paternal great grandmother used to be a market vendor while his great grandfather was a “kargador” at the Carbon public market.

“Eto garantisado ito. Kapag hindi ko tinulungan ang Carbon public market, babangon sa sementeryo yung lola ko,” he said in jest.

Sotto also told his audience that when the Carbon public market was recently razed, he donated P10 million for the rehabilitation of the facility.

“This is to prove na hindi lamang lip service ang ipinapangako naming tulong. Hindi kami kamukha ng mga ibang politiko na humaharap sa inyo o minsan hindi naman humaharap sa inyo tapos kung anu-ano ang ipinapangako,” he said.

In closing, the Senate President said: “Alam niyo na kung sino ang iboboto niyo dito sa city, di ba? Kung gusto niyo na huwag matuloy ang privatization alam nyo na kung sino ang iboboto nyo. Iyan po ang aking masasabi: makakaasa kayo na kakampi niyo kami sa isyu na ‘yan.”