Sotto gets backing of Quezon City LGU, hopes QC leadership will also endorse Lacson
Senate President Vicente Sotto III has secured the support of the leadership of the local government of Quezon City with Mayor Joy Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Carlo Sotto formally endorsing his vice presidential bid in the upcoming May 2022 elections on Tuesday.
Sotto is the unanimous choice of more than 100 members of the Liga ng mga Barangay of Quezon City as their vice presidential candidate, according to Mayor Joy Belmonte, who heads the Serbisyo para sa Bayan local political party.
Belmonte, who heads the Serbisyo para sa Bayan local political party, said 122 of their members rooted for Sotto as their vice presidential bet due to his vast experience in public service.
“SP Sotto was a unanimous choice of the members of my local party, yung Serbisyo para sa Bayan Party,” Belmonte told reporters in an interview at the sidelines of their campaign at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
Sotto welcomed the endorsement saying it would be a big factor for his candidacy considering that Quezon City is one of the largest voting cities when it comes to voting population.
“I am humbled by the endorsement of the entire leadership of QC because this is more than enough to boost and inspire my candidacy,” Sotto also told reporters during the interview.
Belmonte, however, said that when it comes to discussions about whom to endorse as president, the members of the party cannot reach a consensus, that is why they cannot endorse Sotto’s running mate, Partido Reporma standard bearer Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.
“And I’m not an authoritarian leader. I like to consult with members so it’s still possible that the party might later on endorse a president,” she said.
“But as of this time di pa nagkakasundo members ng party (But as of this time, we have not reached an agreement),” Belmonte said.
Nevertheless, Sotto said he is optimistic that the “Liga” members will consider Lacson as their presidential candidate.
“Pero, I am very sure that Sen. Lacson is one of those being considered by the leadership of QC. Malaki pagasa, na nauna lang ako. Ako naman kasi yung taga rito. (There is a big chance, and it so happened that I was endorsed first because I am from this city),” Sotto said.