Tito Sotto says 4 peers urging his return as Senate president

Vice presidential candidate Senate President Vicente Sotto III during the Lacson-Sotto tandem’s miting de avance in Cavite on May 6, 2022. Photo from Lacson-Sotto media bureau

On his way to a historic fifth six-year term as senator, Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is not playing coy about his interest in returning as Senate president, which would pit him against a party mate currently holding the post.

Sotto on Friday said at least four incumbent senators had already approached him, urging him again to take the chamber’s leadership when the 20th Congress opens in July.

The 76-year-old Sotto is one of the 12 winners of the May 12 senatorial elections set to be proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) today. Based on partial unofficial tallies released this week, he ranked eighth in terms of votes received.

“Yes, I would be lying if I say no,” Sotto said in an online press briefing when asked if he was keen on challenging current Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero for the third highest government office.

‘I’m old-school’

“But you know me. I’m not the type who would go around to collect the signatures of my colleagues to get their support. I’m old-school. If they have the numbers and they want me to be Senate president, then I will accept (their decision),” he said.

Sotto, a movie and TV comedian before entering politics in 1988, served as Senate president for four-and-a-half years during the Duterte administration.

READ: Tito Sotto on Senate comeback bid: Voters want experienced leaders

“They are saying that their peers are ready to support me. I told them that if we have 13 (senators), then I will accept it,” he said, referring to the four incumbent senators egging him to vie for the Senate presidency again. He declined to name them.

Sotto would have to go against Escudero, a fellow stalwart of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Chiz leaves it to peers

Chaired by Sotto, the NPC was one of the five parties in the administration coalition that fielded the senatorial slate endorsed by President Marcos and who ran under the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas banner.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Escudero said: “In the end, it is the majority of the Senate who will decide whether I remain as Senate president or someone else takes the position.”

“The election has just ended along with the political bickering and noise, and you want to start it again? Can you let it pass? Let’s finish this (19th) Congress first,” he said

With the support of 14 senators, Escudero took over as Senate president in May 2024, unseating Juan Miguel Zubiri.