Why the Sotto surge in VP race

Senate President Vicente “Tito Sen” Sotto III emerged as a top choice for vice president in the 2022 national elections, based on the recent result of Pulse Asia’s survey.

Sotto III even surged past President Rodrigo Duterte, who earlier declared his intention to run for vice president but later decided not to push through. He instead endorsed his long-time aide and now Senator Bong Go for the post.

Nevertheless, like Duterte, Go who was also included in the said survey emerged on the last spot.

Based on Pulse Asia’s survey that was conducted from September 6 to 11, Sotto enjoys the support of 25% of Filipinos who would want him to be the country’s next vice president while Duterte trailed at 14 percent and Go with 7 percent.

Considered as overwhelming development, this is the only time someone was on top of any Duterte brand.

What could be the reason for this? It is most likely Sotto’s outstanding performance as a legislator as his most vital qualification.

Even former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile considers Sotto, a non-lawyer, as master of rules in the Senate.

Sotto is a seasoned politician known for his conscientious leadership and fair treatment among his fellow Senators.

His humility will not go unnoticed. Even President Duterte boasted about Sotto in his last SONA address when he said that the latter was a good man.

Moreover, Sotto can be considered as a leader for all as he doesn’t see political parties and is open to working with anyone.

Interestingly, with or without pandemic, Sotto registered as the only senator with perfect attendance since 2010. He was never absent and never late.

Indeed, his track record is exemplary. It is reflected in his performance in the Senate, having been able to pass into law almost 20 significant measures.

The most recent and relevant measures that the senator authored were the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act (Bayanihan 1) and the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act (Bayanihan 2).

Sotto also filed a bill seeking to give deserving students free financial assistance in pursuit of their dream of being doctors.

As a senator with strong political will and principles, Sotto opposed the use of emergency contraceptives in the Reproductive Health Bill.

He is also the brains behind the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) – the policymaking and strategy-formulating body on drug prevention and control in the Philippines.  He also authored the Philippines’ Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

This took form his pursuit of a drug-free Philippines.

To allow overseas Filipino workers (OWFs) to vote from other countries, Sotto authored the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) law.

On the lighter side, the seasoned legislator with almost 30 years of outstanding record was a national athlete for bowling and a respected producer and composer of popular OPM hits.