Why Vico Sotto Says He Is Not Running for Higher Office in 2028
During the oath-taking ceremony of incoming elected officials 2025-2028 in Pasig City on June 30, District Representative Roman Romulo echoed what most Filipinos are saying about Mayor Vico Sotto's vision of good governance since 2019: "Sana all, sana Pasigueño kami."
Government-subsidized maternity and newborn clinic? Sana all. Upgraded drainage system? Sana all. Elimination of red tape? Sana all. Free and high-quality emergency go-bag for households? Sana all.
And so, with Sotto's third and last term as Pasig City's mayor, many are hoping that he will run for a national position in the next election. Maybe then, he could implement his principle of good governance on a national level.
His father, actor Vic Sotto, couldn't be prouder, and even excitedly introduced his son as the next president of the Philippines during the proclamation rally at the start of the 2025 campaign season in March. "Alam niyo naman po kung kanino nagmana, kanino pa eh di sa nanay. Ito na po ang susunod na presidente ng Pilipinas, Mayor Vico Sotto," he said back then.
But, once and for all, the younger Sotto confirmed on Monday morning after taking his oath: "2028, hindi ako tatakbo, ngayon pa lang sinasabi ko na sa inyo. Kaya malaya akong gawin kung anong tingin ko ang tama."
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Mayor Vico Sotto is joined by his father, Vic Sotto, and mother, Coney Reyes, during the oath-taking ceremony held on June 30 beside the temporary city hall in Bridgetowne.
Vico Sotto's Last Two Terms
In Sotto's 20-minute speech, he talked about the challenge of running for office in 2019 and taking down a family name that has been in power in Pasig for decades. Campaign experts, at the time, came up to him and told him the realities of campaigning in the Philippines—one that is riddled with vote-buying (disguised as "allowance").
"Sa madaling salita, tinanggihan natin 'yung ganong klaseng luma o tradisyonal na estilo ng politika. Kahit sabi ng marami, imposible. Sabi ng iba, sira-ulo kayo. Hindi mangyayari yan, hindi kayo mananalo. Long story short, alam naman po natin ang naging resulta," Sotto recalled.
The same thing happened in 2022, and again in 2025.
"Ang puhunan po natin dito sa laban na ito, siguro kaunting galing, kaunting talino, pero ang totoong puhunan natin dito, ang paninindigan, ang ating katapangan, ang ating tigas ng ulo," he added, applauding as well those who stood with him: the local political organization Giting ng Pasig, whose entire slate won 15-0 by a landslide.
Politicking in the Philippines
Sotto had a David-Goliath origin story, from running against a dynasty to dealing with misinformation and disinformation fueled by his opponents. And this is a reality in the Philippines, where politics or politicking has a certain negative reputation.
"May mga bagay na hindi ko po pwedeng sabihin nung panahon ng pangangampanya, kasi baka sabihin political motive. Syempre pag political season, mahirap magsalita kasi sasabihin, 'Pulitika lang 'yan.' Ngayon wala nang pulitika. 2028, hindi ako tatakbo, ngayon pa lang sinasabi ko na sa inyo. Kaya malaya akong gawin kung nong tingin ko ang tama," he said, almost comparing the difference between politicking and public service. One refers to tactics needed to stay in power, while the other is, obviously, about serving the people. Unfortunately, the two don't always go hand in hand—with the former often crossing the line of getting one's hands dirty.
"Ni hindi niyo masasabihan na may bahid ng pulitika. At 'yung hindi ko masabi nung campaign period, na ngayon pwede ko na pong sabihin. Sa lahat ng aming katunggali, we extend a hand of peace, we extend a hand of unity. Kung maaari, magtulungan tayo para sa ikagaganda ng ating lungsod. Ngunit, kailangan may mga managot sa mga krimen na naganap. Una na po diyan, nag-viral lang 'yung building permit na yan e, pero hindi naman talaga yan 'yung 'problema."
And with the loudest voice in his whole speech he said:
"'Yung bilyon-bilyong buwis na utang ninyo sa nasyonal at lokal na pamahalaan, bayaran ninyo."
Sotto, who's also known for his humor, pivoted and said in a modulated voice:
"Hindi po ako galit, nagpapaliwanag lang."
Vico Sotto in 2028
And with such good intentions, why wouldn't a Vico Sotto run in 2028? In a video interview by Inquirer in March, he said: "Hindi porke't pulitiko ay pataas ka nang pataas. Ayaw n'yo nga ng traditional politics, ayaw n'yo nga ng trapo di’ba? So dapat hindi laging ganun ang pag-iisip."
And that makes a lot of sense. For Sotto, it was never about staying in power; it has always been about the people. It was never about politicking; it has always been about serving.
