‘Hindi pwedeng take 2,’ Sotto tells presidential, VP aspirants

MANILA, Philippines — “Hindi pwedeng take two.”

(You can’t have take two.)

Senate President Vicente Sotto III said this Monday as he told presidential and vice presidential aspirants to not consider the country’s top two positions as learning experience.

“Hindi pwedeng take two, na kapag nanalo ka saka ka lang mag-iisip ng gagawin mo, doon ka pa lang mag-aaral. Dapat ready ka na pagsampa mo. Ito ‘yung mga posisyon sa gobyerno na hindi pinag-aaralan kapag nakaupo ka na,” Sotto said in a radio interview.

(There is no take two where you will only think of what you will do once you win. You should be ready when you are elected. These are positions in government that you should not study only when you are already elected.)

“Hindi mo pwedeng pag-praktisan ang pagka-pangulo at bise-presidente. Ang mali mo ay makakaapekto sa lahat ng Pilipino. Kung baga sa laro walang ‘ulit,’ walang ‘take two’ o ‘take three.’ Hindi ganyan ang inaasahan ng taumbayan sa kanilang mga lider,” he added.

(You can’t make the presidency and vice presidency as a practice field. Your mistakes can affect all Filipinos. Just like in games, there should be no take two or take three. The public is not expecting someone like that from our leaders.)

According to Sotto, an excellent track record and political experience are among the standards that voters should consider when choosing the country’s top two leaders in the next year’s elections.

He said that those who would vie for the presidency and vice presidency must have a program on how to address the crucial problems being faced by the country.

Sotto said he will make his next political step after completing consultations with various sectors including political veterans, party mates, consumer groups, and retired members of the military and police.

Sotto earlier said he will “definitely” team up with Senator Panfilo Lacson in the 2022 elections if the latter decides to join the presidential race. The Senate leader first admitted in a television interview that he was thinking about joining the vice presidential race.

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