Sotto to 19th Congress: Uphold Senate independence

Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Wednesday made a last appeal to the 12 senators who will be left in the upper chamber as they end the last session day of the 18th Congress.

In his valedictory address, the outgoing Senate chief asked his colleagues to maintain the independence of the chamber, away from any political influence.

"Today, as I stand before my colleagues and the Filipino people on my last day as Senate President, I have one final and earnest appeal to the incoming 19th Congress: Maintain the integrity and independence of the Senate," Sotto said.

"Huwag ninyong payagan na mabahiran ng politika ang inyong serbisyo sa taumbayan. Ingatan niyo ang respetong ibinibigay ng bawat Pilipino sa Senado at sa mga miyembro nito," he added.

The lawmaker, who ran for vice president in the 2022 polls, looked back on his public service career starting as a vice mayor of Quezon City in 1988.

As he appreciated the opportunity to learn from the "best minds in the country," he recalled how this helped him earn the respect of his colleagues and eventually rise from the ranks.

"Today, it is with a sense of gratitude that I close the 18th Congress as the Senate President—a distinction given by my esteemed colleagues. I hope that I have not been a disappointment," he said.

Although he said that his journey in the Senate has been "long and arduous," Sotto said his stint as a legislator and a Senate president are the highlights of his career as public servant.

"As everyone knows, I was first a musician before being a politician. For this reason, some sectors may have misjudged my capacity as a public servant. But what I learned in my 24 years in the Senate is that an artist and a politician are not very different from each other," Sotto said.

Like a musician, Sotto said a politician must have a sense of rhythm,  both of them must be able to discern the tempo of the times and both must know the pulse of the People.

"Finally, both the musician and politician must understand that their work becomes meaningful only when it redounds to the common good. I understand that music or legislation must not only be for the few. It must benefit all," he said

"I can and I will show off my legislative accomplishments not only to my grandkids but to the younger generations, proud and guilt-free that I have not abused my position to enrich myself or any member of my family. I have kept my credibility intact and my name, unsullied," he added.

He took pride in the Senate's accomplishments, particularly the passage of laws that provided aid to Filipinos during the height of the COVID-pandemic, including the approval of the budget on time.

Sotto also mentioned the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 which mandated the government's vaccine rollout.

"We are hopeful that the Senate’s work will, in time, contribute to regaining the nation’s spiritual vigor, political durability, and economic stability," he said.

He thanked his colleagues who have supported him from the beginning, saying he will treasure the friendship and the commitment of their cooperation.

The outgoing Senate chief also expressed gratitude to the officers and employees of the Senate, especially Senate Secretary Atty. Myra Villarica.

The lawmaker also gave his acknowledgement to the Filipino people who have given him their trust and confidence.

"When the time comes that my humble name will have to be ensconced and chiseled into the annals of the Senate’s history, I want to be remembered best as Vicente C. Sotto III, a musician by profession, a sportsman by affiliation, a drug-buster by vocation, and a public servant by conviction," Sotto ended.—LDF, GMA News