Why Vico Sotto Refuses to Endorse Candidates Out of Pressure

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said Monday he would not endorse any candidate out of pressure from their supporters, even if this meant being called a trapo or traditional politician.

Dismissing people who don't share the same political allegiance as enemies could "turn off", instead of convert voters, Sotto said, without directly mentioning presidential candidate Leni Robredo, whose supporters on Twitter are asking the mayor to endorse her.

"I don't think that's the right approach to convince people to vote for your candidate," he told ABS-CBN News. "Ang pulitika, ang eleksyon, dapat kumbinsihan 'yan so let's convince each other in a civilized manner, in a polite manner."

EXPLAINER: How Vico Sotto is Winning with Gen Z, Millennials by Slaying Trapo Politics

Sotto, hailed as an anti-corruption champion, said he doesn't owe anyone an explanation as to why he won't name his presidential bet. Sotto's party, Aksyon Demokratiko, is supporting Isko Moreno's presidential bid. His uncle, Sen. Tito Sotto, is running for vice president alongside presidential bet Panfilo Lacson.

The 32-year-old said no one would call him "duwag" or a coward after ending the Eusebio clan's dynastic rule in Pasig when he won as mayor in 2019.

"Kung tatawagin naman nila akong trapo e baka wala nang hindi trapo sa buong Pilipinas so bahala na sila," Sotto said.

"I don't need to explain myself lalo na sa ibang tao basta tatayuan ko ito. Ito 'yung paniniwala ko, maninindigan ako."

ALSO READ:

How Do Mayors Become Presidents?

LIST: Heads of Vote-Rich Provinces, Cities Who Endorsed Presidential Bets

In Vote-Rich Provinces and Cities, Does the Ruling Clan's Endorsement Matter?