MANILA — Despite emerging as one of the country’s top preferred senatorial candidates in the latest Pulse Asia survey, Pasig City’s Mayor Vico Sotto has firmly dismissed speculation of a 2028 Senate run, reiterating that completing his administration’s reform agenda in Pasig remains his only political priority.
Sotto shrugged off his strong showing in the nationwide survey and maintained that he has no plans to seek higher office, stressing that his commitment to the city remains unchanged even after winning a third consecutive term.
“Wala naman,” he said in an interview with ABS-CBN when asked for his reaction.
He likewise rejected suggestions that the survey could persuade him to reconsider his decision: “Opo, paulit-ulit ko na namang nasagot ‘yan.”
The Pulse Asia survey, conducted from June 28 to July 6, showed Sotto statistically tied with Sen. Robin Padilla for the top spot among preferred senatorial candidates. Padilla received 48.4 percent, while Sotto garnered 47.9 percent.
Despite ranking among the survey’s frontrunners, Sotto reiterated that national politics is not part of his plans and that he remains focused on fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him by Pasig residents.
Even before the 2025 midterm elections, Sotto disclosed that several political groups had informally sounded him out about joining their Senate slates, but said the discussions never progressed beyond initial feelers.
“‘Yung iba feelers lang. Wala naman talagang nag-offer pero siguro feelers lang ‘yun iba,” he earlier said.
He also underscored his lack of interest in pursuing a national post.
“Wag na natin pag-usapan ‘yung mga ganiyan. Basta I’m not interested… I have zero interest to run for higher office,” he said./PN
