Vico Sotto: A great leader doesn't stay in power for too long

At 29 years old, Pasig City Mayor-elect Vico Sotto constantly reminds himself of the saying, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

In an exclusive interview with Lei Alviz on GMA News' 24 Oras on Friday, Sotto shared why he does not intend on keeping his post for a long time.

"Ako, sa tingin ko ang magaling na leader, hindi nagtatagal sa kapangyarihan," he said.

"Pinapaalala ko na sa sarili ko ito na habang matagal ka sa kapangyarihan mas nagiging mahirap. Sabi nga nila, power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely," he added.

Sotto's victory over reelectionist Pasig City Mayor Robert Eusebio in the 2019 elections signifies the end of an era Pasig City which has been ruled by members of the Eusebio family for 27 years.

He first entered the political arena in 2016 when he ran for councilor.

"Noong nanalo po ako noong 2016, never in my wildest dreams did I think na 2019, tatakbo na 'ko para mayor," he shared.

"But I saw the need, I saw the clamor for change, and I saw that no one else was going to run for mayor. So I decided to step up," he added.

Laying out his early agenda as mayor, Sotto says he's determined to prove his doubters wrong.

"I think it's a challenge kasi siyempre may mga iba, pag nakitang bata, baka isipin kayang kaya ka, kaya kang diktahan, pero pag naka-trabaho naman nila ako, makikita din nila na alam ko yung ginagawa ko, alam ko," he said.

"So it's a challenge but it's not an insurmountable challenge. Importante, handa," he added.

Vico Sotto is the son of celebrities Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes who, he said, encouraged him never to lose faith in God.

"Si mama naman, ang payo lang sa akin, 'wag kalimutan ang Diyos at laging magdadasal...always have faith," Sotto said.

"Ang tatay ko naman, ang payo sa akin, lagi kang makikinig sa nanay mo," he added.—Margaret Claire Layug/LDF, GMA News