Marcos praises Sotto: He was able to resolve differences as Senate head
Then Senate President Vicente Sotto III. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau
SAN JOSE DEL MONTE, Bulacan — Senate President Vicente Sotto III was able to resolve differences easily when he was at the helm of Congress’ upper chamber, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday.
During his speech at the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate rally here, Marcos brought up the experience of their Senate bets — noting that eight of the twelve candidates have been to the Senate.
Marcos then heaped praises for Sotto, saying that when he was still a senator, the veteran legislator headed the Senate and was able to lead efficiently.
“Si Senator Sotto, hindi pangkaraniwan na Senador ito, naging Senate President at alam niyo po no’ng ako’y senador, siya po ‘yong Senate President namin, at kaya naman masasabi ko na no’ng panahon niya, maayos ang takbo ng Senado, dahil magaling po siya,” he said.
(Senator Sotto is not an ordinary senator, he was a Senate President and you know when I was a senator, he was our Senate President, and I can say that during his time, the Senate was running efficiently because he is that good.)
“Magaling po siya humawak ng Senado, nakakahanap siya lagi ng kompromiso kahit na nagtatalo-talo po kami, eh malamig po kasi masyado ulo nito kagaya ng kanyang sinasabi, madali naman akong kausap. Hindi niya lang sinasabi ‘yon, totoo po talaga, kaya magaling na naging Senate President ang ating Senator Sotto,” he added.
(He was able to handle the Senate efficiently, because he was able to find points for compromise when we argue, he is really cool-headed and just like what he says, he is easy to talk to. That’s not just empty words, but that is the truth, that’s why Senator Sotto is a good Senate President.)
Aside from Sotto, the following candidates were part of the Alyansa slate:
- Senator Ramon Bong Revilla
- Senator Pia Cayetano
- former Senator Ping Lacson
- Senator Lito Lapid
- Senator Imee Marcos
- Former Senator Manny Pacquiao
- Senator Francis Tolentino
Earlier, in a press conference, Sotto downplayed claims that they should not be elected into office due to age, and because they have been to the Senate several times already.
“Meron kasing issue akong nabasa tungkol sa iba sa amin dito na masyado na raw kaming mga seniors. Okay naman ‘yong makabago or ‘yong mga batang, new generation senators. Okay ‘yon eh. Pero mas magandang may balanse pa rin, iba ‘yong experienced, wisdom na nakuha through the years sa paggawa ng batas,” he said.
(I read an issue about some of us that we are too old. While it is okay to have a new generation of senators, it would be better to have some balance, because it is different to have a roster of experienced, those who have gained wisdom through the years of lawmaking.)
“Hindi gano’n kadaling matutunan ‘yon, kaya importante ‘yon. Saka ‘yong seniors, wala nang seniors, ngayon, lalo na kami. Hindi naman kami seniors eh, seasoned citizens kami, seasoned senators kami,” he added.
(That’s not easy to learn, that’s why it’s important. And there are no seniors right now, we are just seasoned, we are not seniors, we’re just seasoned senators.)
Prior to his praises for Sotto, Marcos urged voters in Bulacan not to pick candidates who are all-talk, saying that the Alyansa bets may be sometimes silent, but were or are actively working for the government’s good.
READ: Marcos: Don’t vote all-talk senatorial candidates, pick those who work
“‘Wag po tayong makinig ng mga puro dada nang dada. Dapat ang hinahalal natin ay puro gawa. Pupunta sila sa Senado hindi upang manggulo, hindi upang magtalunan doon sa kanilang mga kapwa senador, kung kani-kanino pa. Sila ay nand’yan sa Senado upang magkaisa at ipagbuo ang magagandang batas na kinakailangan ng taumbayan,” he added.
(Let us not vote for senators who are all-talk. We should pick those who work. Our candidates will go to the Senate not to cause disarray, not to fight other senators, but to help them. They are there to unite and craft good and meaningful laws that the people need.)
