‘Sotto kin’ defies Parañaque city hall

MANILA, Philippines - A woman and her partner continue to defy an order by the Parañaque City government to remove a basketball court along Bernabe street in Greenheights Subdivision, an official said yesterday.

City administrator Fernando Soriano said the city engineer’s office has a standing order to clear Bernabe street of illegal structures but Marites Sotto and her partner, Boyet Abraham, ignored the order.

Sotto reportedly claims to be related to Sen. Tito Sotto, a city councilor and show business personalities.

Soriano said Sotto and Abraham – who had the basketball court built – also rent out cars and videoke sets and their vehicles are parked along both sides of the street.

“The couple has practically taken over Bernabe street. They ignore notices from the homeowners’ association and the barangay,” a distressed neighbor told The STAR.

Last year, a resident filed a complaint with the office of Mayor Edwin Olivarez, but Sotto reportedly boasted that they are not afraid of the city government.