Vice presidential candidate Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III today (April 2) expressed confidence he would win in the May 9 national and local elections because Filipino voters are intelligent and discerning.
Sotto, chairman of the Nationalist Peoples’ Coalition, said pre-election surveys and large campaign rally crowds do not guarantee a candidate’s victory.
He is the running mate of presidential bet Senator Panfilo M. Lacson.
“Malakas po ang kumpiyansa ko sa aking mga kaalyado at supporters (I have confidence in my allies and supporters). Naniniwala ako na kaya naming ipanalo ang laban na ito (I am confident we can this fight). Tiwala ako sa talino at kakayahan ng mga botanteng Pilipino na pumili ng tama at karapat-dapat na mga lider ng ating bansa (I trust in the wisdom and capability of Filipino voters in choosing the right and capable leaders of this country),” Sotto said.
With the campaign period on the homestretch, Sotto said there is still time for voters to finalize their choices.
“Because of technology, in a matter of two or three days pwedeng mabaligtad pa ang isip ng mga kababayan natin (There is still time for our countrymen to make the correct choices). Merong ganun (There is such a thing). I’ve seen it in the past. Not only in the presidential or vice presidential candidates but also in senatorial candidates and even in the local candidates” he said.
Sotto said there have been plenty of instances when campaign or crowd favorites end up losing to less popular aspirants after voters weigh their selections and find better candidates than their “idols.”
“I’ve seen surveys na bumaligtad (that changed). The classic example is the elections in Pasig City where Mayor Vico Sotto beat his very popular rival for the mayoralty post. In 2019, malayong malayo ang leading na kandidato kay Vico pero pagdating na ng eleksyon, nag-isip ang mga botante (The other candidate was miles ahead of Vico). Inilaban nila ang tama at nararapat (But voters fought for the right choice),” Sotto said.
He also said: “Look at Pasig City now – it’s booming and has a bright future ahead. Pasigueños took a chance and they are now reaping the rewards. This is what intelligent voters bring to the table.”
Mayor Vico Sotto is the Senate President’s nephew.
“Alam ng taumbayan ang totoo (The people knew what was right). Kilala ng taumbayan kung sino ang tunay na magsisilbi sa kanila (People knew who is the right man for the job). Sa araw ng eleksyon, naniniwala ako na gagamitin ng ating mga kababayan ang kaniling isip at puso sa pagboto para sa mga susunod na lider na magtataguyod sa ating bansa (On election day, I am of the firm belief that our countrymen will use their hearts and minds in electing the next leaders who will lead the country),’’ Sotto added.