Previous Positions
Professional bowler and golferVice President of Vicor Music CorporationBoard Member of Araullo University, Nueva EcijaPresident Ham Radio PhilippinesPast Electoral History
Chairman, Dangerous Drugs Board, July 2008November 2009Government Positions
Vice-Mayor, Quezon City, 1988-1992Senator, 1992-1998, 1998-2004Senator/2010-2016, 2016-2022
Authored and Co-Authored Laws
A total of 873 bills were filed by Senator Tito Sotto during the 9th to 11th Congress and 15th to 18th Congress. 259 of these were passed into lawMajor Bills Authored
Doktor Para sa Bayan Act (Medical Scholarship Act)Mental Health Law, Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs ActBayanihan 1 and 2, law creating Family Courts33 cityhood lawsPhilippine Fisheries CodeExpanded Senior Citizen’s ActLocal Calamity FundAbsentee Voting Act, National Feeding ProgramAnti-Hospital Deposit Law, Universal Health Care LawStudent Fare Discount, Amendments to the Juvenile Justice ActSeparate Facility for Heinous Crime Inmate ActSpecial Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act
Advocacies
Fight against illegal drugs:
Because of this advocacy, Senator Tito Sotto, then Vice Mayor of Quezon City, established the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Council which was later on recognized as a model council by the World Health Organization, the Dangerous Drugs Board, and the Narcotics Command. Likewise, in 2019, the DILG named the QCADAC as the most effective anti-drug abuse advisory group in the country. Senator Tito Sotto has authored bills to battle illegal drugs like the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly on the creation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. When he was the Chairperson of the Dangerous Drugs Board, he implemented a holistic approach on the illegal drug problem: Prevention, Enforcement, Prosecution, and RehabilitationProtection of Human Rights:
Senator Tito Sotto is a staunch pro-life advocate, condemns any form of human rights abuses, and disapproves abuse of power. He principally authored the law amending the Juvenile Justice Act that creates “Bahay Pag-asa” in every province and highly urbanized cities because Senator Sotto believes that even children in conflict with the law, and persons deprived of liberty, have rights that need to be protected too. Senator Sotto authored the amendments to the Anti-Hazing Law, which expands the definition of “hazing.” He principally authored the law “Separate Facility for Heinous Crime Act,” which seeks to prevent the taking advantage of lax general rules for all inmates that allow these high-level offenders to continue their nefarious activities. The law likewise regionalizes the maximum penal institution by establishing this penal institution in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and shall provide a more secured and state-of-the-art facility. Senator Tito Sotto is likewise the principal author of the law “Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act,” which requires the state to provide special protection to children in situations of armed conflict from all forms of abuse, violence, neglect, cruelty, discrimination, and other conditions prejudicial to their development, taking into consideration their gender, cultural, ethnic, and religious background.Fight Against Corruption:
Senator Tito Sotto led and actively participated in Senate investigations on several alleged corruptions in the government, like the issues involving PhilHealth’s Interim Reimbursement Mechanism, overpriced SARS-CoV-2 testing package, and ICT Project; on the involvement of some Department of Agriculture’s officials and staff in the smuggling of some goods in the country; Bureau of Correction’s dubious and malicious implementation of the Good Conduct Time Allowance; COMELEC’s tampering of the 2016 Presidential and Senatorial elections involving SmartmaticProviding Quality Education and Protection of Youth":
Senator Sotto pushed for several measures that will ensure the quality of education in the country and for the support or assistance to students, particularly the law strengthening the Philippine Science High School System, Doktor Para sa Bayan Act (Medical Scholarship Act), the laws creating the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), law on Student Fare Discount, Alternative Learning System Act, and the Comprehensive Values Education Act, among others.Legislative Priorities
Rightsizing the Government; 14th Month Pay Law; creation of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency that will unify the four major anti-illegal drug programs – enforcement, prosecution, prevention, and rehabilitation – into a single government agency; Budget Reform; Anti False Content Act; Hybrid Election SystemContribution & Projects
Book entitled “A Vision for A Drug-Free Philippines,” April 1994Film documentary entitled “Drug Free Philippines,” February 1996Book entitled “The Filipino: Values and Visions,” January 1997Stances on Major Issues
Charter Change – with reservations. Character change is what we need.Death Penalty – NoDivorce – No. Favors administrative process of annulmentExtra-judicial killings – No. A law reinventing PDEA by creating a Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority will solve the illegal drugs and drug abuse problems.Legalization of medical marijuana – with reservations. Yes, if the cannabis oil/medical cannabis is without the presence of THC, and without provisions on planting, research and productionNuclear energy – it has to be studied first. If it will show that it is safe secure, reliable, and cost-efficient source of energy, it is okayPolitical dynasty – with reservations. It depends on the definition of “political dynasty” that will be provided in the bill.Rejoining the International Criminal CourtYesSame-sex marriage – No.Territorial issues with China – We have to stand up for what is rightfully ours in a diplomatic manner. We do not want war, but we cannot be bulliedOther significant issues (please specify) – SOGIE Equality Bill – No. Yes to general Anti-Discrimination Bill; Mandatory ROTC – No, it should be voluntary
Awards
Catholic Mass Media Radio Award by the Archdiocese of Manila for composing the song “Magkaisa;”International Gold Medalist on Ten Pin Bowling7 Time National Team Member, Philippine Bowling Congress2 Time World Cupper in Ten Pin Bowling (1978 and 1984)Other various awards, medals and commendations for music composition, local and international bowling, and golf tournamentsAchievements
Established the Vice-Mayors’ League of the Philippines; founded the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse CouncilAuthored and sponsored 259 laws; became Senate Minority leaderTwice elected as Majority Leader; became the 23rd Senate PresidentReceived International Award of Honor from the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (INEOA) (Sept. 2, 1991Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.A.)Received 2nd International Award of Honor (Hall of Fame) from the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association (Nov. 18, 1996Bahia Hotel, San Diego, California, U.S.A.)
Career & History
Legislative History
Advocacies
Achievements
