Sotto overwhelmed by mounting support

CEBU, Philippines - With barely 10 days before the elections, former senator Vicente C. Sotto III said he was happy for the support of various sectors and personalities.

“I am very happy and grateful to everyone who has shown their support. It is not easy running a senatorial campaign on my own but what keep me to continually persevere for a meaningful campaign are the people who has openly endorsed and supported me,” said Sotto, the lone senatorial bet of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Star powers such as Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Vic Sotto, Joey de Leon and Boy Abunda who were part of television commercials endorsing Sotto are presently among the personalities who are openly campaigning for his candidacy.

Also supporting Sotto are the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), Kingdom of Jesus Christ of Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, the Philippine Guardians Brotherhood Inc. (PGBI) supremo and current Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan, Sen. Edgardo Angara and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Meanwhile, among the various sectors that also endorsed and are campaigning for Sotto are Migrante International, Gabriela Party-List, Pasang Masda, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (LDP), Magdalo, and the Task Force on Family and Life-Visayas.

“It’s tough campaigning alone but the response of the people is truly inspiring. Nawawala ang pagod ko kapag nakikita ko ang ating mga kababayan na  lumalapit at nais akong kamayan. I may not have a lot of campaign materials or television commercials but I know that the Filipinos will make the right choice on May 10, 2010,” Sotto stressed.

Sotto, who principally authored and sponsored 103 laws, resigned as chair of Dangerous Drugs Board on Nov. 19, 2009 because he wants to strengthen the laws in a bid to win the war against illegal drugs and drug abuse.

“My passion is to help resolve our drug problem. A country cannot be strong when the problem on drugs is slowly crippling our people. We cannot just focus on economy and graft and corruption alone. We have a problem at hand. Our courts are presently clogged with drug cases, people do not have access to free drug rehabilitation. I am the only candidate who vows to address these issues and problems,” Sotto further explained. — /LPM (THE FREEMAN)