Days after winning the May 9 mayoral race in Pasig City, Mayor Vico Sotto said on Friday, May 13, that he has no intentions of seeking higher political positions in the near future.
"Wala akong plano. I hope people will stop asking me that kasi distraction lang 'yan eh. Ang dami nating ginagawa at kailangan pa gawin dito sa lungsod ng Pasig (I don't have any plans. I hope people will stop asking me that because that's only a distraction. There are still many things that we are doing and we must do in the city of Pasig)," Sotto said in an interview with Unang Hirit.
Sotto was re-elected for a second term as mayor of Pasig City. He won his first term in 2019 against former mayor Robert "Bobby" Eusebio.
He said his win was a testament to the Pasig citizens' thirst for good governance.
"Malinaw ang tinig ng mga Pasigueno. Tuloy ang pagbabago sa Pasig (The voice of the people is clear. Change in the city will continue)," he added.
Sotto said the biggest change for his second term will be the presence of a unified council that "believes in their vision and will strengthen the programs of the city."
During the campaign, Sotto urged his supporters to elect fellow officials in the local government who vouch for honest governance and fight against corruption.
His running mate, Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. won the vice mayoral seat, along with many members of his team "Giting ng Pasig" for councilors.
Giting ng Pasig conducted daily caucuses in every barangay in Pasig to more effectively impart their platforms.
Sotto also addressed the protest conducted by incumbent vice mayor and Sotto's rival for the mayoral seat, Iyo Caruncho Bernardo, and vice mayoral candidate, Atty. Christian "Ian" Sia.
Bernardo and Sia called for a manual recount of the votes in Pasig saying there were anomalies in the results.
Sotto said his opponents' protests were well within their rights.
"Sa akin, kung ano man 'yung gawin nila, sabihin nila, 'yung maging reaksyon nila sa resulta na malinaw naman, that's a reflection on their character. Basta ako, pinagdadasal ko din sila. I pray for their peace of mind na matanggap nila kung ano 'yung sabi ng taumbayan. That goes for everyone (For me, whatever they do, say, or how they react to the results, which are very clear, that's a reflection on their character. For me, I pray for them, for their peace of mind to accept the decision of the people. That goes for everyone)," Sotto added.