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Sotto-Lacson tandem pushed in 2022

Philippines | National

Sotto-Lacson tandem pushed in 2022

By Vanne Elaine Terrazola

Senate President Vicente Sotto III admitted on Monday that he and Senator Panfilo Lacson are being pushed to run in tandem in the 2022 national elections.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Senator Panfilo Lacson

However, he said they are yet to be convinced to gun for presidency or vice presidency.

"May mga kumukumbinsi kasi sa kanya, meron ding mga kumukumbinsi sa akin. Eh hindi pa kami nakukumbinsi (Some are trying to convince Lacson, some are also trying to convince me. But we are not convinced yet)," Sotto told reporters in an online interview.

Sotto's term will end in June, 2022. Since 1992, he has served four terms as a senator.

Asked if he is seeking higher office, the Senate leader said: "Wala pa (I cannot decide yet), I cannot really answer you directly."

"Nakikiramdam pa ako, at pinakikinggan ko pa lahat (I am still weighing on it, and I am hearing all suggestions)," he added.

Sotto said he and Lacson also refuse to tackle politics, saying that the COVID-19 pandemic and work in the Senate should be prioritized.

"Kung nakumbinsi na kami, eh 'di magsasabi na kami kaya lang mahirap nga kami makumbinsi at this point, kasi nga matindi ang pandemic. Doon muna tayo sa trabaho. Trabaho muna kami (If we are convinced, we will tell but it's difficult to convince us at this point, because of the pandemic. We should focus on work. We will do our jobs first)," he said.

"Wala, ano pa kami, sa October (I don't want to talk about it, people will only get mad. We have no decision yet, maybe we will tell come October)," Sotto said, referring to the filing of candidacy for next year's polls.

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