‘Deep friendship’ with LGU execs best election endorsement, says Sotto

(FILE) Senate President Vicente Sotto III, a vice presidential candidate, delivers a speech at the proclamation rally of the Lacson-Sotto tandem in Imus, Cavite on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022. (Photo from the office of Sen. Panfilo Lacson)

MANILA,Philippines — Vice presidential candidate Senate President Vicente Sotto III said deep friendship with a local chief executive will serve as the best election endorsement for the Lacson-Sotto tandem.

Sotto said it is not the practice of the Lacson-Sotto tandem to seek endorsements from local chief executives each time they bring their campaign sortie to their respective areas as he believes that deep friendship with them will be the best endorser for the Lacson-Sotto tandem.

“Ang experience ko mas mahalaga ‘yung mga malalalim na pinagsamahan hindi lamang sa Camarines Norte, kay Governor Egay Tallado, kundi sa iba’t ibang mga local government officials. Sa tagal namin sa serbisyo—83 years ‘pag pinagsama mo—halos lahat ng government officials, lalo na ‘yung mga antigo ay kakilala namin at meron kaming mga pinagsamahan. So, sa tingin ko mas mahalaga ‘yung mga may pinagsamahan kaysa sa salitang endorsement.

(In my experience, what is important is the deep friendship not only in Camarines Norte, with Governor Egay Tallado, but with the other local government officials, as well. We have a combined 83 years in public service and we have established a deep friendship with almost all government officials, especially those who have been there the past years.  So, to me, friendship is more important that the word endorsement),” Sotto said at the sidelines of their campaign rally in Camarines Norte on Wednesday.

Lacson said the fact that a local chief executive, even if he or she is known to have endorsed other presidential and vice presidential bets, has welcomed and joined them in his respective area is already a big factor for them.

“Well, the mere fact that we’re here, ano, right in the Capitol Building at sinamahan niya kami rito, I think, at least it says something. So, ayaw nating pangunahan,” he said.

(Well, the mere fact that we’re here right in the Capitol Building and he [Gov. Tallado] joined us here, I think, at least it says something. So, we don’t want to preempt him)

Lacson said an endorsement of their candidacy by a local chief executive can truly help them get votes, more so if they are in their rivals’ ‘bailiwick,”  but “at the end of the day, it’s the individual voter who will choose.”

After the Camarines Norte sortie, the Lacson-Sotto tandem brought its campaign rally to Sorsogon on Thursday where it was warmly welcomed by Gov. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who is seeking a Senate return; and by gubernatorial aspirant Jose Edwin “Boboy” Hamor, who also serves as Escudero’s campaign manager.

Just like in earlier sorties, Escudero did not issue an official endorsement of the Lacson-Sotto tandem.

But with or without an endorsement from Escudero, Sotto said the people of Sorsogon’s body language is telling.

Escudero belongs to the Nationalist People’s Coalition, where Sotto is the national chairman.

“Totoo naman NPC country ito at obvious sa kilos na Lacson-Sotto ang malapit sa puso ng mga taga Sorsogon (It is true that this [Sorsogon] is an NPC country and it is quite obvious that the Lacson-Sotto tandem is close to the hearts of the people of Sorsogon),” Sotto said.

Lacson said of Escudero’s warm welcome: “One word: amazing! We went around Sorsgon, this was not the Sorsogon I saw when I came in 2007. Nagulat ako, sabi ko nga kay Chiz ang laki ng pinagbago lalo na ang highway na pinagawa. Congrats, senator (I was surprised. I told Chiz that there is very big improvement here, especially the highway. Congrats, senator).”

Sotto said it not far-fetched that Escudero will be back at the Senate, while Sorsogon will be in “good hands” with Hamor.

Although an endorsement of a local executive will help them, Sotto doubts that it can deliver 100 percent votes.

“Hindi lahat ng local officials nila ay makakapag-commit sa candidate na 100 percent, mahirap yun. Puwede labas sa ilong pero sa ground di ganon,” he said.

(Not all of their local officials can commit a 100 percent vote for a candidate. That is hard. It can be that they said they are committed but that is not what is really happening on the ground).

/MUF

Lacson, Sotto, Sorsogon, 2022 elections, local government units, endorsement, Bicol