People would not vote for politicians who were in denial about their election plans but end up running for office, Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III said on Friday, June 4.
Sotto said he does not want to be one, so he is carefully weighing whether or not to run for higher electoral post in the 2022 elections, specifically, for vice presidency.
"Ayoko namang gayahin 'yong mga ibang kandidato, 'yong ibang pulitiko noong araw pa, at saka kahit ngayon, naririnig-rinig ko 'yon. Ang mga dialogue, eh, hindi raw sila tatakbo pagkatapos nangunguna sa pila ng filing (I don't want to imitate other candidates, other politicians since before, and even until now. Their usual dialogue is that they are supposedly not interested, but then will be the first to file their candidacies)," Sotto said in an interview over radio DZRH.
"Hindi magugustuhan ng mga kababayan natin. Mas mabuti 'yong diretso ka. Kung tatakbo ka, sabihin mo tatakbo ka. Kung hindi ka tatakbo, eh di hindi ka tatakbo (Our countrymen do not want that. It's better to be straightforward. If you will run, then say that you will run. If not, then don't)," he added.
"Ngayon, tulad ko, nag-iisip pa (But now, I am still thinking about it)," Sotto clarified.
Sotto earlier said he is being pushed to run for vice president with Senator Panfilo Lacson, his friend, as his running mate for presidency.
Lacson is reportedly still weighing his options, too.
While he did not deny that they are already discussing their possible tandem, Sotto said he and Lacson would rather still consult people before making a decision.
"Pinag-uusapan nga iyon, totoo naman na pinag-uusapan 'yon. Siguro mga consultation na muna, consultative meetings muna, tingnan muna natin (It's being discussed, it's true that it's being discussed. But maybe we'll have consultations, consultative meetings first, to look at our options)," he admitted.
Sotto said his political party, the Nationalist People's Coaliton (NPC) -- which he chairs -- has also yet to formally meet about their plans for next year's polls.
Asked about the possible bid of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for presidency, the veteran politician said: "Siyempre formidable na kandidato 'yon. Pero kung ika’y makakaisip kang kumandidato, ang isipin mo ay ano ang mai-ooffer mo sa bansa? Sa mga tao? At yung sarili mo intindihin mo, hindi yung kung sino ang mga kasabay mong tumatakbo (Of course she will be a formidable candidate. But if you decide to run, you should think of what you will offer to the country, to the people. And you should focus on yourself, not on your fellow candidates)."
"Hindi magandang quality ng isang kandidato na inaasikaso 'yong mga kalaban (It's not a nice quality when a candidate focuses on his or her opponents)...Okay lang 'yon, para may mga pagpipilian ang mga kababayan natin (It's okay, so that our people will have several options)," Sotto said.
Sotto's term will end in June, 2022. Since 1992, he served four terms as a senator.