Sotto tells QC local leaders: Be wary of candidates who are surrounded by people linked to corruption, plunder

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Tuesday told local leaders of Quezon City to be wary of local and national candidates who are surrounded by plunderers and people who are linked to corruption.

Facing barangay leaders at a rally in Quezon Memorial Circle, Sotto took a swipe at some incumbent QC officials, who are allegedly involved in corruption and are now running against Mayor Joy Belmonte.

Belmonte and her party, Serbisyo Para sa Bayan (SBP) Party, officially endorsed Sotto’s vice presidential bid during the event.

“Malaking bagay po ‘yung nakapaligid kahit sa mga kandidato sa national. Eh meron hong mga katunggali dito ang mga current leadership e nu’ng magbigay ng ayuda kulang pa,” Sotto said.

(It is important to notice those who surround a candidate, including those who are running for national positions. There are some opponents of the current leadership who did not distribute the full amount of financial aid to their citizens.)

“Kaya lang nalulungkot ako na may distrito dito na hindi binibigay ‘yung tama at binabawasan ‘yung binibigay,” he went on.

(I am saddened by the news that in some districts, the money that is intended for the people were not given in full.)

Sotto likewise warned the barangay leaders against national candidates who are being surrounded by “plunderers.”

“Gaya ho ng sinabi ko kahit na sa national government, lalo na sa national  government, ganon din sa local, tingnan niyo yung mga nakapaligid sa kandidato,” he said.

(Like what I said earlier, look at those who surround the local candidates, especially those who are running for national posts.)

“Kung ang mga nakapaligid sa kanya ay may matinding corruption, matindi sa plunder, matindi sa kung ano anong kabalbalan sa bansa, e bakit mo iboboto yon? Hindi po ba? Dito na tayo sa nakasisiguro tayo,” he added.

(If they are surrounded by people who are linked to corruption, plunder, and other anomalies, why would you vote for them? We should vote for those who have no record of wrongdoings.)

Sotto reminded them that voters could only hold power for one day or during Election Day.

“Isang araw lang tayo hari at yung araw na yon, ‘wag na ‘wag natin ibibigay ito sa alam nating may bahid ng corruption ang nakapaligid,” he emphasized.

(We will be a king for just one day and I hope that on that day, we will not give power to those who were surrounded by people who have records of corruption.)

In an ambush interview, Sotto said that the endorsement from Belmonte is important as QC is one of the vote-rich cities.

“It’s one of the largest voting cities when it comes to voting population and then malaking bagay sa akin kasi… dito ako nagsimula (this is where I came from). Dito nagsimula pulitika ko (My political career started here). The full endorsement of the entire leadership of QC is more than enough to boost my, to inspire me,” he said.

For Belmonte’s part, she said Sotto was the “unanimous choice” of the members of the SBP.

However, the local party has yet to decide who will they support for president.

Sotto is running with presidential candidate and Senator Panfilo Lacson.

“When it came to discussing presidents, ‘di kami magkasundo [we have not reached a consensus yet with the] members of the party 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. But as of this time di pa nagkakasundo members ng party,” she said.

Despite this, Sotto said he is sure that Lacson is “one of those being considered” by Belmonte’s party.

In a text message shared to reporters, Lacson reiterated that endorsements are “good” especially if it is coming from “credible leaders” like Belmonte and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto.

Gian is the son of Senator Sotto. 

“If it’s given, I would welcome it wholeheartedly. If not, then I wil have to go directly to the people of Quezon City. In past elections, at least in the 3 senatorial runs that I had, I got good numbers from Quezon City. I hope I can maintain that mandate and support from them,” he said.

“Meantime, I’m truly happy for my vice presidential bet, SP Tito Sotto, a real pride of Quezon City who served faithfully and well as their vice mayor. He more than deserves  the endorsement,” he added.

According to the Commission on Elections’ data, the Quezon City has the most number of voters among the cities in the National Capital Region with 1,403,895 for Eleksyon 2022. — RSJ, GMA News