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Vicente “Tito” Sotto III

Ballot 59:

Vicente “Tito” Sotto III

FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT

NATIONALIST PEOPLE’S COALITION

Age: 76  (born Aug. 24, 1948)

Highest educational attainment: A.B. English, Colegio de San Juan de Letran

Endorsed by: Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, the Marcos administration’s slate

With his experience in legislative work, Sotto wants a Senate return to scrutinize the national government budget. He pushes for the rightsizing of the bureaucracy and the creation of a presidential drug enforcement authority. He also wants to pass laws to address “fake news.”

 

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Field of Expertise

Issues and Controversies

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Was sharply criticized In 2017 for saying that then social welfare secretary Judy Taguiwalo, a single mother to two daughters, was “na-ano lang” (just knocked up); later said it was a joke but his critics did not get it
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Faced an ethics complaint in 2012 for plagiarizing Sarah Pope and two other  U.S. bloggers  in a turno en contra speech against the reproductive health  bill, a charge his staff admitted to
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Was also accused of plagiarism that same year for lifting portions of his speech opposing the reproductive health bill from a 1966 speech of U.S senator Robert F. Kennedy; Sotto admitted to translating those portions, refusing to consider it plagiarism. When Kennedy’s daughter Kerry demanded an apology, Sotto did so without owning up to the mistake.
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Described the Pepsi Paloma rape case as a “showbiz gimmick” and pointed to the late actress’ manager Rey Dela Cruz as the mastermind of  the controversy

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Claims by Public Figures
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VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Sotto wrong in claiming only 3 govt officials enjoy ‘priority landing and takeoff’ privileges

Sotto is wrong in claiming that only three government officials enjoy priority landing and takeoff for their flights. This courtesy is also extended to the speaker of the House of Representatives, dignitaries, and other “identified” government officials, such as department secretaries, through a “special handling” of their flights. CAAP’s Media Affairs Officer Eric Apolonio told VERA Files Fact Check, however, that this privilege usually applies only to flights involving chartered private aircraft.
FACT CHECK
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VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Sotto claim on safety of unvaccinated persons in the company of those vaccinated NEEDS CONTEXT

Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III implicitly claimed that unvaccinated persons against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have nothing to fear if they are surrounded by fully vaccinated individuals. This needs context.
FACT CHECK
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VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Sotto is wrong; Singapore NOT under martial law

In comparing the compliance of citizens in the Philippines with those of its neighboring countries on following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health protocols, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III erroneously claimed that Singapore is under martial law.
FACT CHECK
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VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Sotto’s claim that COVID-19 cases in PH due to hardheaded Filipinos is baseless

Senate President Vicente Sotto III claimed that hardheaded Filipinos are to blame for the cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country. This is without basis.
FACT CHECK
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VERA FILES FACT CHECK: Sotto wrong in saying it’s ‘difficult’ to claim exclusivity in PH EEZ

The law establishes the country’s baselines, which were used to map out its EEZ.

Family Members in Government

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Gian Carlo G. Sotto

Relationship: Son

Position/s held:

  • Vice Mayor- Quezon City (2019 - present)
  • Councilor- Quezon City, third district (2010 - 2019)
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Dorielle Maria “Lala” Sotto-Antonio

Relationship: Daughter

Position/s held:

  • Chairperson- Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (2022 - present)
  • Councilor- Quezon City, sixth district (2013 - 2022)
  • Councilor- Quezon City, third district (2001 - 2010)
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Valmar “Val” Sotto

Relationship: Brother

Position/s held:

  • Councilor- Parañaque, second district (2004 - 2013)

Where this candidate stands on top 5 concerns of the Filipino voter

Interesting Facts

  • In the upcoming 2025 elections, Sotto’s son, Gian, and nephew, Vico, are both running as reelectionists in their respective incumbent positions. Wahoo, on the other hand, is seeking a return to his former post.
  • Boasts of zero absences and tardiness in his stint in the Senate
  • Founded the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines in 1988
  • Before entering politics,  Sotto was already well-known in the entertainment industry as a composer, musician, comedian and host of long-time noontime show EAT Bulaga. He also won international bowling competitions and was part of the national team.