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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sotto admits Duterte a 'formidable' VP bet but is unfazed by possible rivalry

Sotto admits Duterte a 'formidable' VP bet but is unfazed by possible rivalry

Published Jul 2, 2021 03:53 pm

Senate President Vicente Sotto III is unfazed by the possibility of President Duterte running in the 2022 vice presidential race.

Senate President Vicente 'Tito' Sotto III

The Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) chairman maintained Friday, July 2, that he will not be looking at his potential competitors, even as he found it "hard to say" how Duterte's pronouncements would impact preparations for the 2022 national and local elections.

"For us NPC, it does not matter who we are up against. We strive for what our party stands for!" Sotto said in a message sent to reporters, even as he has yet to decide whether or not to seek higher post in next year's polls.

The Senate had said that he was "seriously considering" to run for vice president, alongside Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who, on the other hand, was mulling a presidential bid.

In an earlier interview with reporters, he said he would welcome anyone who will seek vice presidency, adding it would give voters more choices on who they think will lead the Philippines better, especially amid impacts of the persisting COVID-19 pandemic.

Duterte, he added, "will be a very formidable competitor".

"Magkaibigan pa rin naman kami...it does not have anything to do with my proposal or my offer as an alternative to the people," Sotto said last June 21.

Sotto said Friday that he will announce his decision "at the proper time."

In a speech on Thursday, July 1, Duterte said people start to consider him for vice presidency to supposedly "maintain equilibrium for all".

But even Lacson did not understand the President's statement, tweeting on Friday, "Explainer wanted: How can a sitting President maintain 'equilibrium' by running for vice president?"

Asked about the growing spat between leaders of the ruling Partido Demokratiko ng Pilipinas-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Sotto, meanwhile, said: "The son of the founder of PDP-Laban, Sen. Koko Pimentel, is the one who must call the shots."

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