Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has resigned from Aksyon Demokratiko (AD) after four years as a focal member of the political party.
According to a copy of the resignation letter secured by Manila Bulletin from the Pasig City Public Information Office (PIO) on Wednesday, Nov. 2, Sotto decided to resign from AD “effective immediately” on June 30.
“Unfortunately, recent events have made it apparent that the party is now headed towards a different direction. I believe that we are no longer a group of individuals with similar political goals and ideals. To me, this defeats the purpose of being a member of a political party,” Sotto said in his resignation letter.
“To be clear, this is not about any particular person or candidate; I maintain the highest respect for the party’s leadership and members. It is, in part, because of this respect that I decided to delay my resignation until after the 2022 national and local elections,” he clarified.
Sotto added he will “always be grateful for the opportunity to share in Aksyon Demokratiko’s advocacies.”
Sotto joined AD in 2018, a year prior to being elected as mayor of Pasig under the banner of the political party.
He served as Executive Vice President (EVP) of the AD.
AD Chairman Ernest Ramel confirmed Sotto’s resignation, saying the party received his letter “sometime in late July.”
The AD is “saddened” by his resignation, but the party “is not closing its doors to Sotto should he decide to return to his home party,” Ramel said in a statement.