Two Symbols of Hope: Gov. Pam Baricuatro and Mayor Vico Sotto

In an era when Filipinos long for leaders who embody integrity, compassion, and action, two names stand out: Cebu Province Governor Pamela “Pam” Baricuatro and Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. Though they govern different places, both have come to symbolize a new kind of politics—transparent, people-centered, and grounded in genuine service.

Mayor Vico Sotto earned admiration early in his tenure for rejecting corruption and institutionalizing reforms in Pasig. From open bidding to FOI (Freedom of Information) measures, his administration has shown that public funds can be managed honestly. He also listens to his constituents, creating policies that reflect real needs, whether in healthcare, emergency response, or social welfare. His efforts have proven that clean government is not only possible but sustainable.

In Cebu, Governor Pam Baricuatro has shown in just her first 100 days that she shares the same brand of principled leadership. Dismissed by some as a political “newbie,” she immediately proved otherwise. On her very first day in office, she signed 12 executive orders aimed at improving healthcare, strengthening transparency, and making government more accessible. She has since committed ₱80 million to ensure that provincial hospitals are stocked with medicines and staffed with professionals, while also working to upgrade infirmaries into full hospitals that can provide surgery and urgent care in remote towns.

Both leaders also insist on openness. Sotto is known for engaging citizens and institutionalizing reforms so they last beyond his term. Baricuatro, meanwhile, has pledged that the Capitol will be “the people’s home,” not a palace of privilege. Her first State of the Province Address laid bare the debts and irregularities she inherited, a bold act of transparency that earned public trust.

What ties them together is their refusal to treat public office as personal power. Instead, they see governance as service—listening to people, responding quickly to their needs, and building systems that outlast personalities. Both have also shown that leadership is not about political colors or dynasties, but about competence, compassion, and credibility.

For Pasigueños, Vico Sotto has become a model of clean and effective governance. For Cebuanos, Pam Baricuatro is quickly emerging as the same. Her first 100 days demonstrate that she has studied, listened, and acted decisively, proving that even as a newcomer, she is capable of transformative leadership.

Together, Gov. Pam and Mayor Vico remind us that a different kind of politics is possible—one where integrity drives decisions, compassion guides programs, and hope is not just promised, but delivered.