Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto bared on Sunday, March 27, that campaigning amid the Covid-19 pandemic is more fun but difficult as compared to 2019.
"Ano ang pinagkaiba ng campaign period ngayon kumpara sa 2019? Sa isang banda, mas nakakapagod ngayon dahil kailangan balansehin ang trabaho at pangangampanya. Dapat laging una ang trabaho bago ang kampanya (What are the differences between the campaign period now and in 2019? On one hand, it's far more difficult now because we have to balance work and campaigning. Our job must come first all the time before campaigning)," Sotto said.
"Kahit weekend. Nakaugalian ko nang pumasok sa opisina ng Sabado o Linggo para maiwasan ang delays, lalo na sa sahod ng mga empleyado. Kapag may mga papel sa desk ko, hindi ako pumapayag na ma-pending ito sa akin ng mahigit one working day (It has been a habit of mine to report to work during Saturdays and Sundays to prevent delays, especially on the salary of employees. If there are paper works on my desk, I don't allow it to be pending for more than one working day)," he added.
Sotto said that it is also more fun to campaign this 2022 due to the heartwarming support of Pasigueños to them.
"Dalawang dahilan ang naisip ko kung bakit-- Una, malaya na tayo ngayon. Dati, halimbawa, madalas kaming pinapakiusapan ng mga opisyales ng HOA (Home Owners Association) na huwag nang bumisita sa kanila, kasi baka daw mapag-initan sila. Ngayon, kahit kalaban namin ay puwede (at dapat!) pakinggan (There are two reasons that I can think of-- First is that we are much more free now. Before, for example, we are usually asked by officials of HOAs to not visit them because they might get the heat. Now, we are listening to everyone, even to our opponents)," Sotto said.
"Pangalawa, marami ang nagsasabi na ramdam nila ang mga pagbabagong ipinaglalaban natin. Nakakataba ng puso dahil ito naman talaga ang motibasyon ko sa pagtakbo para mayor (Second, a lot of people are telling us that they feel the changes that we are advocating. It really makes my heart full because this is my motivation for running for mayor)," he added.
Team “Giting ng Pasig” led by Pasig City Mayor and re-electionist Vico Sotto held a kick-off campaign rally on Friday morning, March 25, at the Pasig Mega Market, under a promise of progress and change. Running in the upcoming elections with Sotto for vice mayor is Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr. and re-electionist Congressman Roman Romulo.
Sotto said he pursued his re-election bid in order to continue instituting systemic changes that would shift a culture of fear and corruption in the city into a culture of fairness and inclusivity.
“Ang pagbabagong tunay ay hindi po madali, hindi po mabilis. Ang tunay na pagbabago na hinahangad natin sa ating lungsod ay ‘yung pagbabago na malalim, na maaring ipamana sa susunod na henerasyon. Posibleng mamuno ng tapat, na walang korupsyon (Real change is not easy or swift. Real change that we long for the city is one that digs deeper, one that we may be able to pass on to the next generations. It is possible to lead with honesty, without corruption),” the mayor said.