Vico Sotto for President? Mayor Says ‘I Don’t Entertain Those Thoughts’

Vico Sotto for President? Mayor Says 'I Don't Entertain Those Thoughts'
(reportr) Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said Monday he was ignoring calls for him to run for higher position, including the presidency when he is eligible, to focus on his work in the city.

The 32-year-old will not be eligible to run for president until 2034, when he would be at least 40. Should Sotto serve the maximum three consecutive terms as mayor, he will be in office until 2028.

“I try not to listen kasi baka pumasok sa ulo ko. I don’t entertain those thoughts whether now or for the future. Dapat mag-focus ako sa trabaho ko ngayon,” Sotto told ANC in an interview when asked about his thoughts on calls for him to run for president when he becomes eligible.

Sotto said he would want to serve as Pasig City mayor again after his term ends in 2022 to ensure the implementation of the projects that were delayed due to the pandemic.

“Nung nag-State of the City Address nga ako, na-realize ko na sa dalawang taon na mayor ako, nine months lang yung walang pandemic. So kumbaga we had nine months to clean things up,” he said.

“We’ve had gains, we’re building momentum steadily. Yun nga lang talagang limited yung pwedeng gawin e,” he added.

Sotto ended the nearly three-decade rule of the Eusebio family in Pasig City when he ran for mayor in 2019. Since then, he has earned praise for his transformative leadership in the city and for veering away from traditional politics.

Earlier this year, Sotto was named one of the U.S. State Department’s 12 anti-corruption champions.

Sotto hoped that the recognitions he received would spark discussion and encourage people to take part in addressing societal issues.

“Kung recognition lang sa akin, hindi ko naman kailangan yun e. But if it sparks a discussion that we talk about these issues and more people will be inspired to participate, then mission accomplished ako doon,” he said.

“Kasi yun naman talaga yung kaya tayo pumasok dito, it’s for a purpose hindi lang para sa position,” he added… Read More