Vico Sotto tips voters: Pick bets who didn’t spend a lot during campaign

MANILA, Philippines — For voters who are still undecided about who to vote for in the #BSKE2023 on Monday, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has this advice: Choose candidates who did not spend a lot during the campaign.

FILE PHOTO: Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. Image from his Twitter post

In a video-recorded speech posted Sunday on social media, he said:

“Sa akin po, kung hindi tayo sigurado sino ba dyan ‘yung mas tapat, sino ba dyan ‘yung mas magaling, sino ba dyan ‘yung mas masipag…hindi tayo sigurado kung ano, [ako] pipiliin ko nalang, kung dalawang kandidato parang similar, hindi ako sigurado, kung ako pipiliin ko nalang ‘yung mas bago. Pipiliin ko nalang ‘yung hindi gumagastos ng malaki.”

(To me, if we are not sure who is more honest, who is better, who is more hardworking…we are not sure of what, [I] will just choose, if two candidates seem similar, I’m not sure, if it were me I’d just choose the newer one. I’ll just choose the one that doesn’t spend a lot [in the election period].)

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According to Sotto, a candidate who spends a lot of money during elections is the “biggest red flag.”

“Tandaan po natin ‘yan ang pinakamalaking red flag sa mga kandidato, mula sa taas, mula sa national hanggang sa barangay level, ang pinakamalaking red flag sa mga kandidato ay ‘yung gumagastos ng ubod ng laki,” he noted.

(Let’s remember that the biggest red flag among the candidates, from the top, from the national to the barangay level, the biggest red flag among the candidates is the one who spends a lot of money.)

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The speech was delivered during a flag-raising ceremony at Pasig City Hall on October 16, or a week before the October 30 barangay and SK polls.

But Sotto said he decided to personally post the original video on his social media accounts on Sunday because it was being “edited” and taken out of context.

“Ini-edit ng iba out of context eh kaya post ko na lang din!!,” the Pasig City chief executive explained.

(Others edited it out of context so I’ll just post it!!)

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“PERO KUNG DI AKO SIGURADO at di ako makapili sa dalawang kandidato, dun ako sa mas bago at mas maliit ang gastos!! #BSKE2023,” Sotto also captioned his post.

(But if I’m not sure and I can’t choose between two candidates, I’ll go with the newer one and someone who spent less!! #BSKE2023.)

“Go for performance, dedication”

In a statement released the same day, Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera urged voters to choose future new barangay officials “recognized for their exceptional performance and unwavering dedication” to making their communities better.

“Barangay officials are the frontliners of public service. They are the ones who directly address the needs of our communities. Therefore, it is imperative that we choose leaders who are not just talkers but true performers and doers,” Herrera said.

She also stressed that selecting officials with a proven history of accomplishments can bring genuine change to their constituents’ lives.

“We need leaders who have a vision and the capability to turn that vision into reality. This is the time for us to break away from traditional politics and prioritize competence and dedication,” she said.