Mayor Vico Sotto speaks during the Team Giting ng Pasig proclamation rally held at the Pasig Mega Market on March 25, 2022. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File  

MANILA — Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said he had "zero interest to run for higher office" in the 2025 elections.  

The 35-year-old Sotto was among those who topped a senatorial survey in the first quarter of 2024, alongside national political figures such as former President Rodrigo Duterte, boxing champ and ex-senator Manny Pacquiao, and other incumbent and former lawmakers.

When asked if some political camps have invited him to join their senatorial line-up for the 2025 elections, Sotto said: “‘Yung iba feelers lang. Wala naman talagang nag-offer pero siguro feelers lang yun iba.”

“Wag na natin pag-usapan yung mga ganiyan. Basta I’m not interested… I have zero interest to run for higher office,” Sotto told ABS-CBN News.

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When prodded for a reason on why he is not eyeing a national post, the mayor said: “Anong gagawin ko doon? I’m not in this to get any position or what.”

“We have a mission here in Pasig: To bring true, genuine reform; to fight for good governance,” he said.

“I believe that the mission is not yet done.”

VICO-RIPOT

Sotto, who is now on his second term as Pasig City mayor, has been known as “Vico-ripot” (Vico cheapskate) among city hall employees since he entered local politics as councilor in 2016.

The moniker stemmed from Sotto’s penchant for reasonably-priced items over branded products, even encouraging some staff to drink instant coffee instead of purchasing blended beverages that may be 20 times more expensive.

“Hindi tayo kurakot… okay lang yun,” Sotto said when asked about his reputation as a cheapskate.

“Walang masama maging kuripot pero mas gusto ko yung term na masinop,” he said.

In 2021, two years after his ascent to the mayoralty post, Sotto announced that the city saved P1.2 billion after the local government implemented a more transparent bidding process for public projects.

Earlier this month, at least 2 graft cases were filed against Sotto over the alleged procurement of millions-worth of commemorative shirts, and the supposed grant of a 100 percent discount on tax dues and penalties for a telecommunications company. 

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Sotto denied both allegations and described the issues as “politicking” ahead of the 2025 midterm elections.

The mayor said he has not received a copy of the complaints as the Office of the Ombudsman has yet to decide on the merits of the case.

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Meanwhile, Sotto also addressed viral videos that claim that he is either dating, married, or has fathered a child.

“May mga nagge-genrate ng mga videos pero kung ano-ano lang,” he said. “Minsan nga ni hindi ko na kilala yung tao, nakakahiya din.”  

“Sadly, they get thousands, if not millions, of views tapos yung iba medyo susceptible talaga na maniwala sa mga fake news.”

When asked in jest when he would finally introduce Pasig City’s first lady to the public, the bachelor mayor said: “Kapag mayroon na.”

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