Sotto to file COC for senatorial race Oct. 14

Senator Vicente Sotto lll. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto said he would file his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2016 senatorial race on Wednesday next week, which falls on the birthday of his friend and fellow television host, Joey de Leon.

“Sa birthday ni Joey, October 14,” Sotto, who topped the latest senatorial surveys, told reporters on Tuesday when asked when he intends to file his COC.

Asked why he chose that date, “Wala; kursunada ko lang (No reason; I just felt like it)…” the senator said in jest.

Turning serious, Sotto said he picked the date because it was the only significant day when he was choosing from October 12 to 16, the period set for the filing of certificates of candidacy.

“Pinaka-significant ‘yun kay Joey de Leon (It’s the most significant for Joey de Leon),” he said.

Sotto and de Leon are among the main hosts of the afternoon show, Eat Bulaga.

Asked if he would bring with him the popular couple of Eat Bulaga’s “Kalyeserye,” Alden Richards and Maine “Yaya Dub” Mendoza (known together as “AlDub”) when he files his COC, Sotto said, “It depends,” but immediately said it was just a joke.

“No, I won’t. Sinabi ko na nga, I will set the example. We will not use them in politics para hindi ma-offend ang mga dabarkads (Like I said, I will set the example. We will not use them in politics so that the dabarkads [fans of Eat Bulaga] won’t be offended),” said the senator.

Sotto said he will run under the Nationalist People’s Coalition’s senatorial ticket. JE