No 'Take 2' in Running a Nation, Sotto Tells Aspiring Leaders

Presidential and vice presidential aspirants must be ready to work and face the challenges that come with the positions, as there can be no "take 2" in managing an entire nation, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said on Monday.

Sotto, who is contemplating on running for vice president, said that running a country is not a learning experience. The next leaders should have a program to address the country's pressing problem, he added.

“Hindi pwedeng Take 2, na kapag nanalo ka saka ka lang mag-iisip ng gagawin mo. Doon ka pa lang mag-aaral. Dapat ready ka na pagsampa mo. Ito ‘yung mga posisyon sa gobyerno na hindi pinag-aaralan kapag nakaupo ka na,” Sotto said in a statement.

He added: “Hindi mo pwedeng pag-praktisan ang pagka-pangulo at bise-presidente. Ang mali mo ay makakaapekto sa lahat ng Pilipino. Kung baga sa laro walang ‘ulit,’ walang ‘Take 2’ o ‘Take 3.’ Hindi ganyan ang inaasahan ng taumbayan sa kanilang mga lider."

Sotto said the electorate should consider track record and political experience when choosing who to vote for in the 2022 elections. Presidential and vice presidential aspirants should also be ready to submit a "report card" to the public.

The Senate leader said he was consulting with various sectors, including political veterans, partymates, consumer groups, and retired members of the military and police, about the possibility of running for vice president.

If ever he decides to run, he would support the presidential candidacy of Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Sotto statistically placed second in the list of the preferred vice presidential candidates in the 2022 elections, according to the Feb. 22 to Mar. 3 Pulse Asia survey, behind Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, and Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

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