House Member Cites Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto Popular Not due to Surname but his Work
VICO SOTTO – The Pasig Mayor was mentioned by a House member in the solons’ call for lower age requirement for the presidential bets.
Undeniably, it seems already a culture in the Philippines that possible presidential bets are being cited even years before the elections. Many Filipinos usually monitor who might take the next presidential race. In this case, the next election for president is in 2028.
President Bongbong Marcos previously claimed that he wants the Filipinos to remember his term with the “changes for the better” made by his administration. Ahead of the 2028 Elections, there are already surveys about the possible presidential bets in the next poll. Vice Pres. Sara Duterte previously claimed that she is the “frontrunner” of the 2028 presidential race — to which Malacañang previously reacted.
According to the Palace, Marcos Jr. is not even politicking as he is busy doing his work. Ahead of the next national elections, several members of the House of Representatives want the age requirement for presidential bets lowered to 35. Based on a report on GMA News, a solon even cited Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto.
During a news conference, House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union stressed that Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto is known not because of his parents nor his surname but because of his work. He stressed that it should be the goal — for the work of a public servant to be talked about and not the name.
“Mayor Vico is very popular, but his popularity stems from his work. He is not popular due to his surname or his parents. And when you are a public servant, that should be your end goal: for the people to talk about your work, not your name,” Ortega said.
Based on a report on GMA News, the House Deputy Speaker further expressed that there are many “young and bright public servants”. According to him, there are also many “young, idealistic and dedicated” people who are members of the lower chamber.
“There is no limit on who will benefit from this measure,” the House member said.
Based on the report, House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V clarified that their push for a lower age requirement for presidential bets is not intended so Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto can run for president in 2028. By then, Sotto will be 38 years old and may not qualify for the presidential and the vice presidential races under the current rules.
“This bill carries a huge responsibility for the young ones who will be eligible to run for higher positions because hindi lang po dahil bata ka, pwede ka na,” Ortega said.
The Pasig Mayor is one of the local government officials who are vocal in fighting corruption. However, amid many Filipinos wanting him to run for a higher position in the next elections, during his recent oath-taking, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto claimed that he will not run in the 2028 Elections.