Vico Sotto on Seeking Higher Office: 'Wala Akong Plano'

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said Friday he had no plans of seeking higher office in future elections, adding he preferred to focus on his programs after getting reelected for a second term.

Sotto had refused pressure to endorse candidates running for national office in the May vote. He is eligible for a third and final consecutive term as mayor in 2025. By then, he would be 35, turning 36, qualifying him to run for senator. 

Since the minimum age for president according to the Constitution is 40 on the day of the election, Sotto would not be qualified to run for president until 2034 since in 2028, he would be just 38 before election day in May.

"Wala, wala akong plano. I hope people stop asking me that kasi distraction lang yan eh. And dami natin ginagawa, ang dami pang kailngan gawin sa lungsod ng Pasig," he said.

First in Sotto's priorities is the local senior pension, where every Pasigeño aged 65 years old and above with no job or pension will receive P500 monthly from the local government. A dialysis center with 790 machines will also be opened wituin the year, Sotto told GMA News.

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As for COVID, Sotto said it's important to maintain a high capacity for both public and private healthcare systems.

"Syempre, nagdadasal din tayo at umaasa tayo na wala nang surge, wala nang bagong variant para make-move forward na tayo, and new normal na. Sana talaga," he said.

Supporters of Pasig Vice Mayor Iyo Bernardo, who challenged Sotto for the mayorship in the May 9 elections, said their preferred candidate would file an appeal the results.

"Pero sa akin kasi, kung anuman yung gawin nila, sabihin nila, reaksyon nila sa resulta, na malinaw naman no, that’s a reflection of their character. Ako, I pray for their peace of mind na matanggap nila kung ano yung sinasabi ng taungbayan, that goes for everyone," he said.