Pasig city mayoral candidate, Vico Sotto waiting at the session hall of the Pasig City hall on May 14, 2019. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Was there a ban on selling biko in Pasig City during the election campaign season in relation to the candidacy of mayoral challenger and now-winner Vico Sotto?

Vico’s father, screen veteran Vic Sotto, claimed that was the case — a “petty” move supposedly from the Eusebio-led city hall, which he said was motivated by the similar sounds of the Pinoy-favorite rice cake and his son’s name.

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Vico, a first-term councilor, sought to topple the 27-year rule of the Eusebios in Pasig by going against reelectionist Bobby Eusebio — a successful undertaking that’s been likened to the Biblical David and Goliath.

The public information office of Pasig denied there was any formal order concerning the selling of biko, but Vico, reacting to a “TV Patrol” report on Wednesday, appeared to lend credence to the speculation with his own anecdote.

@jhayzon88 Nung nasa palengke ako nung kampanya, may lumapit sa kin, pakyawin ko daw biko niya.



Sabi ko, Ate wala ka naman dalang biko, sapin-sapin yan eh!



Yun pala nasa ilalim ng bilao, quiet lang daw.



So hindi ko alam kung bawal talaga o natatakot lang sila. Pero ayun. — Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) May 15, 2019

“Nung nasa palengke ako nung kampanya, may lumapit sa ‘kin, pakyawin ko daw biko niya,” he tweeted to a follower who asked him to confirm the alleged ban on biko.

“Sabi ko, ‘Ate wala ka naman dalang biko, sapin-sapin yan eh!’ Yun pala nasa ilalim ng bilao, quiet lang daw. So hindi ko alam kung bawal talaga o natatakot lang sila. Pero ayun,” Vico added.

Vico, 29, has claimed being marginalized — “bullied,” in his father’s words — even during his time as councilor and especially going into the campaign season, but did not, until now, address rumors concerning biko.