The Sottos: All in the family

MANILA, Philippines - With the patriarch, Tito Sotto, running in next Monday’s elections (again for senator), the whole family (wife Helen Gamboa and children Romina, Diorella, Ciara and Gian who himself is running for councilor in Quezon City) gives its all-out support, including Helen’s niece Sharon Cuneta who has just shot a TV plug which is now airing.

Politics (not just showbiz) is in Tito’s blood.

Born Vicente C. Sotto III in Manila on Aug. 24, 1948, Tito is the grandson of Sen. Vicente Sotto (author of the Sotto Law which protects journalists from revealing their sources) and son of the late Dr. Herminia Castelo-Sotto of Nueva Ecija, the first Medical Commissioner and President Emerita of the Kababaihang Rizalists ng Pilipinas.

A product of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Tito finished Executive Program for Leaders in Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.

By profession, he’s a respected composer/musical artist (behind the award-winner Magkaisa).

By vocation, he’s an athlete, a gold-medalist bowler (member of the Philippine National Bowling Team).

By affiliation, he’s a member of TV’s most famous trio Tito, Vic & Joey.

By conviction, he’s a dedicated public servant.

Tito served as chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) from July 2008 to Nov. 2009.

His marriage is one of the few durable in showbiz. He’s pro-life, pro-family and anti-drugs.