Senatorial aspirant and former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III aims to implement reforms in various areas once he returns to the Senate if he wins in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections in May.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan on Monday, Sotto mentioned that he has plans and goals for the country's improvement that he will pursue upon his return to the Senate.
One of Sotto's main goals is to advocate for the 14th-month pay, to be issued to workers every December, with the 13th-month pay to be given in June.
He noted that June is a crucial period when families need financial assistance for their children's education and enrollment.
"Ang 13th month pay dapat ibigay ng June. Kasi karamihan ng mga kababayan kailangan ng pang-enroll. Pagkatapos sa December ibigay ang 14th month pay. 'Yan ang proposal ko na hindi naipasa bago natapos ‘yung 2022," said Sotto.
Sotto also expressed his desire to push for the merger of the Dangerous Drugs Board and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) into a Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority.
With this initiative, he believes that it will address the issues faced during the Duterte administration and the two-year period where the approach to combating illegal drugs in the country significantly changed.
The former Senator noted that he had previously advocated for the reimposition of the death penalty for drug trafficking, citing that high-level drug traffickers are imprisoned but continue their operations outside of prison.
However, he stated that the solution he sees now is to isolate drug lords on an island with no communication, a measure already being implemented, rather than imposing the death penalty.
Regarding the issue of increasing workers' wages, Sotto agrees with the proposal but emphasizes that it should be done in a way that is feasible for employers.
Sotto is open to pension increases, as long as there are financial resources to support the adjustment.
Instead of the divorce bill, Sotto will push for what is referred to as the administrative annulment, citing that the process will be cheaper, faster, and less likely to offend the church.
He said that this type of annulment would not go through the court and could be brought directly to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), where the process would be much simpler.
"Dito sa administrative annulment, mas magiging mura, mas magiging mabilis kaysa doon sa divorce bill at ito’y hindi masama sa panlasa ng simbahan," Sotto explained.
On the matter of medical cannabis, Sotto expressed his support but strongly opposed the proposed legalization of marijuana, warning of its potential risks.
Sotto also believes that the Philippines and China should enter into a joint venture in the South China Sea and West Philippine Sea. In this way, both countries would benefit from the ocean's resources without any conflict arising.
Furthermore, some of the issues he plans to address if elected include budget reform and combating fake news.
"Ako lang ang Senador, Senate President [na] never absent, never late, hindi lang sa sesyon kundi sa trabaho mismo. 100% ang physical presence ko noong pandemic na hindi pwedeng ipagyabang ng ibang Senador," he said in closing.
Sotto served as Senate President from 2018 to 2022, a position that elevated his influence in Philippine politics. He's also known for his involvement in various legislative initiatives, including work on anti-drug laws, national security, and health policies.
