Senate President Vicente Sotto III is qualified to become the country's next vice president, President Duterte declared Monday.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III reacts after President Duterte recognizes his capability to become the country's next vice president during his State of the Nation Address on July 26, 2021. (Screenshot/RTVM)
In his sixth and final State of the Nation Address (SONA) Monday, the President said while he was toying about a possible vice-presidential run in next year's elections, Sotto could be a capable vice president of the country.
"He is a good man. He can become a good vice president," Duterte said in his remarks.
"With due respect to Senator Sotto, who is also running for the vice presidency, he is a capable man, a good man, and a Filipino," he said.
Sotto was present at the session hall while the President heaped praises on his capacity as the next country's vice president.
Duterte earlier said he was seriously thinking of running for vice president to get immunity from lawsuit after some critics threatened to sue him when his six-year term ends next year. He initially considered a vice presidential bid to complete his unfinished business such as fighting drugs and corruption.