Tito Sotto says to bring back image, integrity, independence in return to Senate | ABS-CBN
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Tito Sotto says to bring back image, integrity, independence in return to Senate
Ched Rick Gatchalian,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 17, 2025 04:30 PM PHT
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Updated May 17, 2025 08:27 PM PHT
Tito Sotto is proclaimed as a senator-elect by the Commission on Elections, May 17, 2025. Handout/VST
Tito Sotto is proclaimed as a senator-elect by the Commission on Elections, May 17, 2025. Handout/VST MANILA — Veteran politician Vicente "Tito" Sotto III successfully made a Senate comeback after he won at 2025 midterm elections at No. 8 spot under administration slate Alyansa.
MANILA — Veteran politician Vicente "Tito" Sotto III successfully made a Senate comeback after he won at 2025 midterm elections at No. 8 spot under administration slate Alyansa.
The Commission on Elections proclaimed Sotto on Sunday, May 19, after the latter received more than 14.8 million votes.
The Commission on Elections proclaimed Sotto on Sunday, May 19, after the latter received more than 14.8 million votes.
Sotto, said that he is the first senator in the history of the Philippines to have been elected to five terms, and that he has managed to either be principal author or sponsor of 259 laws "that elevated the lives of Filipinos."
Sotto, said that he is the first senator in the history of the Philippines to have been elected to five terms, and that he has managed to either be principal author or sponsor of 259 laws "that elevated the lives of Filipinos."
He said he will now focus on creating a legacy in the Senate, including exercising oversight on laws and government spending.
He said he will now focus on creating a legacy in the Senate, including exercising oversight on laws and government spending.
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He said he will also make certain to "restore the good image, the integrity, and the independence of the institution."
He said he will also make certain to "restore the good image, the integrity, and the independence of the institution."
He said he would do it for former senators Vicente Sotto, Filemon Sotto, and to "future generations of Sottos who will serve the Filipino people."
He said he would do it for former senators Vicente Sotto, Filemon Sotto, and to "future generations of Sottos who will serve the Filipino people."
In interviews this week, Sotto acknowledged "three or four" senators have approached him, saying they would support him if he seeks the Senate presidency.
In interviews this week, Sotto acknowledged "three or four" senators have approached him, saying they would support him if he seeks the Senate presidency.
He said he would accept the position if there are enough numbers to elect him.
He said he would accept the position if there are enough numbers to elect him.
Sotto, who promised to push for measure on the rightsizing of government and counter fake news, was already included in "Magic 12" of initial surveys for senatorial position.
Sotto, who promised to push for measure on the rightsizing of government and counter fake news, was already included in "Magic 12" of initial surveys for senatorial position.
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Just two days after elections, he admitted he is willing to accept Senate presidency in the 20th congress if there are enough colleagues who would support him.
Just two days after elections, he admitted he is willing to accept Senate presidency in the 20th congress if there are enough colleagues who would support him.
"If I have the necessary number I will accept," Sotto told ABS-CBN News.
"If I have the necessary number I will accept," Sotto told ABS-CBN News.
A lawmaker would need 13 votes from the upper chamber to be elected as Senate President.
A lawmaker would need 13 votes from the upper chamber to be elected as Senate President.
In the 2022 national polls, the then-Senate president tried his luck in the vice presidential race but lost to Sara Duterte. He will now serve as judge in the impeachment case filed against the latter.
In the 2022 national polls, the then-Senate president tried his luck in the vice presidential race but lost to Sara Duterte. He will now serve as judge in the impeachment case filed against the latter.
Sotto started his public service career in the local government. Then in 1992, he was elected to the Senate and served until 2004.
Sotto started his public service career in the local government. Then in 1992, he was elected to the Senate and served until 2004.
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He returned to the Senate in 2010 until 2022.
He returned to the Senate in 2010 until 2022.
Among his legislative priorities before were the fight against illegal drugs as he served as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board from 2008 to 2009 under former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's term.
Among his legislative priorities before were the fight against illegal drugs as he served as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board from 2008 to 2009 under former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's term.
However in 2012, Sotto faced criticisms after his plagiarism issue went viral. It stemmed from his speech about the dangers of artificial contraceptives.
However in 2012, Sotto faced criticisms after his plagiarism issue went viral. It stemmed from his speech about the dangers of artificial contraceptives.
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