Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto reiterates he's not running for national position
Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto, who has been reelected as local chief executive for his third and final term, reiterated that he has no plans of running for a national position soon.
In GMA News' special coverage of the 2025 midterm elections, broadcast journalist Arnold Clavio asked Sotto, "Last term niyo na po. May plano ho ba kayo na umakyat o ipromote ang sarili at ipagpatuloy ang good governance sa national position?"
"Wala po akong balak," Sotto said. "'Yan naman po ang lagi kong sinasabi, wala akong balak."
"Kaya sana, hayaan din ako ng mga tao na magtrabaho at hindi 'yung lagi akong pinepressure o mag-isip ng kung ano-ano," he continued.
The politician noted that what's important is to put in the work.
"Every day, let's take it one day at a time," he said. "Let's do the best where we are right now. Focus po tayo."
Earlier in the interview, Sotto noted that a three-year term as mayor is short, with the maximum allowed three consecutive terms lasting nine years.
In the May 12 polls, the Pasig official won by a landslide against opponents Sara Discaya, Cory Palma, and Eagle Ayaon. According to the Commission on Elections' partial and unofficial results—based on 98.27% of election returns as of May 14, 9:30 a.m.—Sotto got 345,375 votes, while Discaya got 29,104 votes, Palma got 302 votes, and Ayaon got 293 votes.
For his last term, he said that he intends to strengthen reforms in Pasig in the next three years.
"Kailangan siguraduhin natin na mainstitutionalize," he said. "Ibig sabihin, dapat kung sino 'yung mga susunod na leader sa Pasig, sisiguraduhin natin na mas mahirap nang gumawa ng masama."
"Mas mahirap nang maging corrupt. Mas madali nang maging mabuti. Mas madali nang maging tapat sa LGU," he added.
Sotto has previously expressed disinterest in seeking a higher office.
In an August 2024 interview with ABS-CBN News, he was asked whether some political camps have invited him to join their senatorial lineup for the 2025 polls.
“‘Yung iba feelers lang. Wala naman talagang nag-offer pero siguro feelers lang yun iba," Sotto is quoted as saying. "Wag na natin pag-usapan yung mga ganiyan. Basta I’m not interested… I have zero interest to run for higher office."
Asked why he wasn't interested in a national post, he replied, "Anong gagawin ko doon? I’m not in this to get any position or what.”
“We have a mission here in Pasig: to bring true, genuine reform; to fight for good governance,” he added. “I believe that the mission is not yet done.”
