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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tito Sotto: We're not seniors, we're 'seasoned'

Tito Sotto: We're not seniors, we're 'seasoned'

Published Feb 28, 2025 09:39 am

At A Glance

  • Former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto has shrugged off criticism that he's too old to attempt a return to the upper chamber in the upcoming mid-term elections.

20250228_135340.jpgFormer Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III (2nd from left) (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto has shrugged off criticism that he's too old to attempt a return to the upper chamber in the upcoming mid-term elections.

In a press conference of the Alansya para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate at Hotel Savano in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan on Friday, Feb. 28, Sotto flatout refused to be called a "senior citizen".

Instead, the adjective that the 76-year-old Sotto preferred was "seasoned".

"Wala nang 'seniors' ngayon, lalo na kami. Hindi naman kami seniors eh, 'seasoned citizens' kami. Seasoned senators kami (There are no more "seniors" nowadays, especially with us. We're not seniors, we're 'seasoned citizens'. We're seasoned senators)," he said tongue-in-cheek.

Sitting next to Sotto in the presser was his visibly amused fellow Alyansa bet Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, also 76. Both are former multi-termed senators. 

"Wala sa edad eh, ang pagseserbisyo sa bansa. Nasa puso at damdamin yan (Service to the nation isn't bound by age. Instead it's all about heart and feelings)," Sotto said.

Sotto didn't have anything bad to say about the younger senators or candidates who were also also running in the May polls. But he said a healthy mix of new and old never hurt anybody.

"OK lang naman yung mga bago or mga batang...new generation ng senators. Pero mas magandang may balanse pa rin (The new or younger generation of senators are OK. But it's still better to have a balance)," he said.

"Iba yung experience, wisdom na nakuha mo through the years ss paggawa ng batas. Hindi ganun kadaling matutunan yun. Kaya importante yun (The experience, wisdom that you get in crafting laws through the years is a big deal. That cannot be learned easily. That's why it's important)," he added.

 

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