FILE PHOTO: Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. INQUIRER
MANILA, Philippines — Conservative groups in the country have pledged their support to the vice-presidential bid of Senate President Vicente Sotto III, saying he was “exceptionally qualified” to win the second top elective post in the country.
Sotto recently joined a forum organized by the Philippine Nationalist Conservatives for Progress (PNCP), a group of young conservative professionals who come from different people’s groups, such as the Philippine Social Conservative Movement, Conservatives of the Philippines, Coalition for the Defense of Religious Freedom, Conservatives in the Philippines and The Filipino Conservatives.
“I am happy that the sitting Senate President spent time with our group. Many national officials, even other candidates that we requested an audience with have not yet acted on our request for dialogue and consultation,” said Jochebed “Obed” Dela Cruz, PNCP’s lead convenor.
“It is admirable that Senate President Sotto was able to share with us his platforms and answer questions on policy matters as expected of a true statesman. Senate President Tito Sotto showed his knowledge, wisdom, and competency in public service and gave us his realistic and convincing platform. It left us with the impression that he is exceptionally qualified for the VP position,” Dela Cruz said.
Sotto, during the dialogue with the group, urged members to be discerning when they cast their votes in the 2022 synchronized elections.
“Sana bigyan tayo ng Panginoong Diyos ng mas magandang discernment para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa at para sa kinabukasan ng ating pamilya. I’ve always said that the most important thing is the care of the Filipino family,” the Senate leader said, adding: “I hope the electorate will not be enticed by optics and narratives.”
Dela Cruz said that “an overwhelming majority of our members pledge to individually give our full support for the candidacy of SP Sotto for next year’s vice-presidential elections.”
Sotto is running alongside Senator Panfilo Lacson, who is vying for the presidency. They were the first tandem to announce their intent to join the May 9, 2022, national elections.