Sotto remains confident he will win vice presidency

By: Dennis Gutierrez - 3 years ago

Senate President Vicente Sotto III

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III remains confident he would emerge victorious in the May 9 synchronized elections, banking on what he called are “intelligent and discerning” Filipino voters.

Sotto, who is running as the vice president of Sen. Panfilo Lacson, said pre-election surveys and large campaign rally crowds do not indicate that voters will be actually voting for a certain candidate.

“Malakas po ang kumpiyansa ko sa aking mga kaalyado at supporters. Naniniwala ako na kaya naming ipanalo ang laban na ito. Tiwala ako sa talino at kakayahan ng mga botanteng Pilipino na pumili ng tama at karapat-dapat na mga lider ng ating bansa,” Sotto said.

With the campaign period nearing its end, the Senate President said voters can still change their mind and make the right decision.

“Because of technology, in a matter of two or three days pwedeng mabaligtad pa ang isip ng mga kababayan natin. Merong ganun. I’ve seen it in the past. Not only in the presidential or vice-presidential candidates but also in senatorial candidates and even in the local candidates” Sotto said as he noted instances in the past when campaign favorites lose to less popular candidates.

“I’ve seen surveys na bumaligtad. The classic example is the elections in Pasig City where Mayor Vico Sotto beat his very popular rival for the mayoralty post. In 2019, malayong malayo ang leading na kandidato kay Vico pero pagdating na ng eleksyon, nag-isip ang mga botante. Inilaban nila ang tama at nararapat,” Sotto said.

He said Pasig City, after ditching its “old-style” politics of graft and corruption, is now financially booming and its people have been getting good city governance and social services from their local executives.

“Alam ng taumbayan ang totoo. Kilala ng taumbayan kung sino ang tunay na magsisilbi sa kanila. Sa araw ng eleksyon, naniniwala ako na gagamitin ng ating mga kababayan ang kaniling isip at puso sa pagboto para sa mga susunod na lider na magtataguyod sa ating bansa,” Sotto said.