During a Federal Police operation, it interrupts the trajectory of a politician who built popularity outside the traditional mold: between viral videos, religious discourse and a personal narrative of overcoming.
Born in Sorocaba on January 31, 1980, Rodrigo Maganhato graduated in Marketing from Faculdade Uirapuru and worked as a car salesman before entering politics. His projection began in commerce, when he recorded promotional videos for cars that made him known in the city.
A former drug addict, Manga participated in social projects linked to the Worldwide Church of the Power of God and worked in support actions for addicts. His personal experience with drugs was transformed into a political banner and, later, into a biography: the book Govern your Life & Transform the World, released in 2023, narrates his trajectory from addiction to public life.
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His electoral debut came in 2012, when he was elected councilor for the PP. In 2016, he was re-elected with the highest vote in the history of the City Council until then, totaling 11.4 thousand votes. During this term, he presided over the Legislature and commanded the session that impeached then-mayor José Crespo, his political ally.
In 2020, already affiliated with the Republicans, he won the second round of the municipal election against Jaqueline Coutinho (PSL). Four years later, he consolidated his strength at the polls: he was re-elected in the first round with 73.7% of valid votes, the highest absolute vote in the history of Sorocaba.
Manga’s popularity has expanded with the intense use of social media. On TikTok and Instagram, he has accumulated millions of views on short videos in which he appears to announce public works and programs in a performative way — breaking down walls, paddling canoes or under an umbrella. His direct and theatrical style earned him the nickname “Tiktoker Mayor” and expanded his national presence.
Among the most publicized actions are the free student pass and the installation of umbrellas and cell phone chargers at bus stops. But management also faces criticism for failures in mobility, health and safety, as well as allegations of overpricing in public contracts.
Since 2023, Manga has been the target of investigations into alleged irregularities in tenders in the areas of education and health. His assets were blocked by the courts in a process over the purchase of robotics kits valued at R$26.3 million. In 2024, g1 revealed that he and former secretaries are being investigated in contracts worth more than R$100 million with social organizations.
The removal ordered this Thursday by the Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region, within the scope of Operation Copy and Paste, is the most recent episode in this sequence of crises. The Federal Police are investigating a scheme of corruption and money laundering in municipal health contracts. While investigations continue, vice-mayor Fernando Neto (PSD) takes over as mayor.
