Tito denies emerging Sotto dynasty: Nagkataon lang

Senate President Vicente Sotto III refuted observations that his family has become an emerging dynasty in Philippine politics, even as welcomed debates on the issue.

"Iba-iba naman ang posisyon ng mga Sotto. It's not concentrated influence. Nagkataon lang na magkakamag-anak," Sotto said on The Mangahas Interviews.

(The Sottos have different positions. It's not concentrated influence. It just so happens that we are relatives.)

The vice presidential aspirant said the Sottos are serving in different arenas.  He is in the Senate, while nephew Mayor Vico Sotto is in Pasig and his son Gian Carlo is vice mayor of Quezon City.

Sotto said the term "political dynasty" must have a clear definition and should be debated extensively in Congress.

“Dapat d'yan pagdebatehan. Kailangan i-define what do you mean by 'political dynasty'. If there is a concentrated influence, then it becomes a political dynasty,” Sotto said.

(That should be debated on. 'Political dynasty' should be defined. If there is a concentrated influence, then it becomes a political dynasty.)

“Pero kung wala naman concentrated influence, hindi political dynasty 'yun. Nagkataon lang na magkakamag-anak,” he added.

(But if there is no concentrated influence, that is not a political dynasty. It just so happens that they are related to each other.)

On political rivalry with Pangilinan

Asked about running for vice president against Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, Sotto said it was something that happens in politics.

“I cannot speak for my wife and my children. I will speak for myself. Sa akin, in public service dadaan ka ng politika. Sa politika nakita ko na ‘yan eh. Nakita ko nang nangyari 'yan. Sa Caloocan nangyari na ‘yan eh, magkapatid pa. Sa Makati nangyari 'yan, magkapatid pa,” he said.

(For me, in public service, you will go through politics. I see that in politics. In Caloocan, that already happened among siblings. In Makati, that also happened among siblings.)

“Ang maganda sa amin, hindi naman kami magkaapelyido eh, so I'm brushing it aside. Ganu'n talaga eh, gusto nila eh,” he added.

(What's good in our case is we do not have the same surname, so I'm brushing it aside. That's how it is, they want to run.)

Sotto's wife, actress Helen Gamboa-Sotto, is the maternal aunt of actress Sharon Cuneta, Pangilinan's wife.

Pangilinan earlier said he would support Sotto if ever the latter wins in Eleksyon 2022.

He had said that his run for vice president, which pitted him against Sotto, has caused tension within the family. Pangilinan added he is hoping for reconciliation after the elections. —LDF/KG, GMA News