With about three months to go before the May 9, 2022national elections, Filipinos are in no way “married” to their perceived chosen candidates, so they can expect to be wooed to change their minds until the second they cast their votes, vice presidential bet and Senate President Vicente “Tito” C. Sotto III on Wednesday, Feb. 16 said.
`Visiting Parañaque City yesterday, Sotto said he and running mate Partido Reporma chairman Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson were not disheartened by recent survey results, and that they would stick to their campaign strategy of telling Filipinos how they could improve their lives once they earn their mandate.
“Kasal na ba? Hindi pa, 'di ba? ” Sotto said when asked by reporters if it was okay for him to visit an area where people had previously pledged support for another vice-presidential candidate.
The Senate President had accepted an invitation from his nephew, Parañaque City Councilor Viktor Eriko “Wahoo” Sotto, to talk to several presidents of homeowners’ associations in the city, where he also has several friends. Wahoo’s father is singer-actor Val Sotto, the senator’s younger brother.
“They (homeowners) probably want to listen to what we plan, and what our platforms are,” according to Sotto who also made his mark in showbusiness before becoming a public servant and senator for 24 years.
The vice-presidential candidate also paid a courtesy call on Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivares, whom Sotto noted graciously received him even if they belong to different political parties.
“Why don't we put it this way: Kaya ako naririto ay nanliligaw ako. Ganoon talaga. ,” said the chairman of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, noting that the mayor was a ranking official of the ruling PDP-Laban party.
“There is a possibility that the party of Mayor Olivarez will be backing up certain candidates. But that does not prevent us from courting the votes of Parañaque. That's why I am thankful to Mayor Olivarez, wine-welcome ako rito for the courtesy call,” Sotto added.
The mayor said he had heard what Sotto presented to the local homeowners and came away impressed. He also noted that the lawmaker had authored the measure in the Senate that turned Parañaque into a city on February 15, 1998.
“'Yung pinakinggan natin kanina kay SP napakaganda, good for the country, food security natin, at saka 'yung paglaban doon sa korapsyon. So, napakaganda po ng nilatag ni SP sa atin ,” Olivarez said.
That’s why despite the surveys, Sotto said it was never too late to court Filipino voters, as he and Lacson only had to present their reform platform under their mottos “Aayusin ang Gobyerno, Aayusin ang Buhay ng mga Pilipino” (Fix the Government, Fix the Lives of Every Filipino) and “Uubusin ang Magnanakaw” (Get Rid of All Thieves) to help them change their minds.
“I will leave it to the people. We will continue campaigning, we will continue informing them of our track record, what we have done for them and for the entire country and what we can do more, and then express our platform of government, explain our stand and platform reform,” said Sotto of his moves with presidential bet Lacson.