Vico Sotto is new mayor of Pasig City, ends Eusebio clan’s 27-year reign

MANILA, Philippines — Vico Sotto has been proclaimed as the new mayor of Pasig, ending the Eusebio clan’s 27-year reign in the city.

Sotto defeated incumbent Mayor Robert “Bobby” Eusebio as he garnered 206,226 votes, according to the City Board of Canvassers (CBOC).

Sotto, son of Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes, was proclaimed winner Tuesday afternoon after CBOC received 100% transmission rate of election returns.

Sotto’s running mate, former Rep. Roman Romulo, also succeeded in his congressional comeback bid with 221,779 votes.

“Maraming salamat sa inyo. Maraming-maraming salamat sa supporters na talagang hindi umuwi at tumayo katabi natin hanggang sa dulo, hanggang ma-proclaim tayo,” Sotto said during an ambush interview after the proclamation.

“Ang laban na ‘to, hindi ko lang po ito laban, hindi lang po ito laban ng isang Vico o ng Sotto, pero laban po ito ng bawat isang Pasigueño na sumisigaw ng pagbabago,” he added.

Asked about his plan after taking the mayoral seat, Sotto said his first move is to “get some really good people who will help me run the government.”

“I think ‘yun naman po talaga dapat. Pagka bagong mayor, bagong presidente, bagong gubernador, basta executive position, kailangan po talaga may makakasama tayo na mga eksperto, mga sanay sa trabaho,” Sotto noted.

Sotto first became a councilor of Pasig City’s first district in 2016, while Romulo served as congressman of the city’s lone district at the House of Representatives for three consecutive terms from 2007 to 2016. Sotto and Romulo belong to Aksyon Demokratiko.

The Eusebios’ has dominated in Pasig since 1992. /kga