MANILA — Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto on Thursday said he has refused to join other political parties after leaving Aksyon Demokratiko, citing the weak political party system in the Philippines.

Sotto said he declined some invitations to join other parties following his resignation from Aksyon Demokratiko in June.

“Mayroon, pero hindi ako interesado,” Sotto said in a chance interview when asked if other political parties have asked him to be a part of their group.

“I’m an advocate of stronger political parties and stronger political party systems in the Philippines… Hindi ako sasali ng political party just for the sake of my political gain. Hindi ako interesado,” he said.

(There were some invites, but I am not interested. I will not join a political party just for the sake of my political gain. I am not interested.)

The 33-year-old mayor, Aksyon’s former executive vice president, quit his first political party after this year's national elections saying he and Aksyon were “no longer a group of individuals with similar political goals and ideals.”

• Vico Sotto leaves Aksyon Demokratiko, cites political differences

Sotto said he has “nothing to gain from” joining any other party at the moment.

“Sa local politics, sadly, it’s not that relevant,” he said. “Kung para lang sa political gain, hindi ako sasali ng political party. I have nothing to gain from it.”

(If it's just for political gain, I will not join a political party.)

“The only reason that I might join a political party is if I really believe in the party principles, the party ideology and how the party is being run,” he said.

When asked if there are existing parties that are aligned with his principles and ideology, Sotto said, “Wala (none).”

“Even if you observe or ask around, mahina talaga ang political party system sa Pilipinas. Hindi yan sikreto. Alam yan ng buong mundo,” he said.

(The political party system of the Philippines is really weak. That is not a secret, the whole world knows that.)

Sotto said he hopes Congress will pass laws that would strengthen the political party system in the Philippines, underscoring that “the country really needs it.”

“We need stronger political parties para hindi nagiging personality-based ang pulitika sa Pilipinas,” he said.

“With weak political parties, you have no choice but to be personality- based,” he added.

• Philippines needs to return to 2-party system, says senatorial aspirant

SOTTO’S OWN LOCAL PARTY?

Pasig Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski and councilor Quin Cruz - two Sotto allies who also ran under Aksyon Demokratiko in the 2022 elections - confirmed to ABS-CBN News that they are still with the party.

Former actress and now Pasig Councilor Angelu de Leon has yet to respond to requests for comment.

“I’m still with AD,” Jaworksi said in a text message.

“Early today nakapag usap kami ni Konsi Angelu at same lang din ang sabi namin kay Vice: ‘If ever magreresigned na din sya ay isama na din kami,’” Cruz said in a separate message to ABS-CBN News.

“I am thankful for Aksyon for making me part of the political party. However, gaya ni Mayor Vico, hindi ko na rin nakikitang mayroon pa kaming iisang stand bilang polparty,” he said.

Cruz noted that he earlier asked Sotto to form his own local political party in Pasig.

“Sinu-suggest ko kay Mayor Vico na mag-create na lang tayo ng sariling polparty na principles-based at hindi personality-based,” he said.

“I think naghahanap na din ang mga tao ng maayos na polparty sa ating bansa,” he added.

Sotto denied that he plans to establish his own political party anytime soon.

“Independent ako. Inform ko kayo kung may development. Sa ngayon, wala pa. Siguro kung magkaka-development, nangyari na yun in 4 months,” he said.

“Pero gaya ng sinasabi ko, magfo-focus ako dito sa Pasig.”

(I am independent. I will inform you if there are developments. There are none for now. Perhaps if there will be any development, it will happen in 4 months. But like what I previously said, I will focus here in Pasig.)

RELATED VIDEO

Watch more News on iWantTFC