Sotto: Mindanao gets big budget but should elect good local execs

Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau

DAVAO DEL NORTE — Former Senate President Vincente Sotto III said Mindanao gets a big share of the government’s coffers but it does not see much progress, so voters should choose good local leaders to see results.

This was his response when asked how the Marcos administration’s senatorial slate could address underdevelopment in Mindanao.

He made the remark on Saturday as the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate backed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. kicked off the Mindanao leg of their campaign here, considered the bailiwick of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We know the problem and we know what to do about it. One of the biggest problems, with due respect to some of the officials who are competent, but look at the budget of the past, the amount of funds that go to Mindanao had been big so it’s surprising that the progress [here] isn’t that strong,” Sotto said in a press conference in Tagum City.

“Well, we already know that. So this Alliance will definitely address that, and the leaders you appoint in Mindanao—it’s not just up to us, but also up to you. The solution is in your hands as well,” he added.

The administration is also fielding reelectionist senators Pia Cayetano, Imee Marcos, Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla, and Francis Tolentino; former senators Panfilo Lacson, and Manny Pacquiao; House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar; ACT-CIS Rep. Erwin Tulfo; former Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos; and Makati City Mayor Abby Binay.

Sen. Marcos, Cayetano, Lacson, and  Villar skipped the rally held a few hours after the press conference.

Marcos, who led the alliance’s proclamation rally, unleashed a thinly veiled salvo of attacks on Duterte during his speech there.

Marcos said they are not “tainted by the blood” of the drug war which killed thousands, and did not profess pro-China and pro-Philippine offshore gaming operators sentiments, among other social ills, as opposed to the nine-man slate backed by Duterte.

READ: Marcos on admin slate: They’re not tainted by tokhang, Pogo, pro-China

He also led the second leg of the administration bloc’s sortie in Iloilo City on Friday where he also reiterated strong remarks against Duterte.

READ: Marcos to Iloilo execs: Coordinate with national gov’t in infra projects

Marcos repeated his tirades against Duterte here in the province which is part of his predecessor’s stronghold.

READ: Marcos throws shade at ex-Pres Duterte over ‘kill senators’ twit

Once allies during the 2022 polls, the Marcoses and Dutertes have been embroiled in a tussle marked by Vice President Sara Duterte’s resignation as education secretary in June 2024.

The feud has since escalated, with Vice President Duterte revealing that she allegedly instructed someone to kill Marcos, his wife Liza, and cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she would be killed.

Her remarks were one of the reasons why the House of Representatives impeached her on February 5. Presidential son and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos was the first one who signed and endorsed the impeachment complaint.

Rep. Marcos said his move was prompted by the Vice President’s threats to his family and her remarks to dig up late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s remains before throwing them into the West Philippine Sea.

READ: Rep. Marcos on signing Sara Duterte impeach rap first: No surprise