Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III confirmed that both he and Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson will no longer seek re-election in 2031.
In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, Sotto explained that age is the main factor behind their decision. Both Sotto and Lacson will be 83 years old by then.
“Even if I can run for re-election in 2031, Senator Lacson and I have agreed already that by that time we will be both 83 years old so we would rather relax, retire,” Sotto said.
Currently, Sotto holds the distinction of being the country’s longest-serving senator and the only one elected five times to the chamber.
He emphasized that his and Lacson’s comeback in the 2025 elections, after their loss in the 2022 presidential and vice-presidential race, was meant to carve a “lasting legacy” in the consciousness of the Filipino people.
Sotto also assured the public that under his leadership, the Senate will remain cooperative with the government but independent in principle.
“So my promise would be the same as I promised when I was Senate President and I believe was successful with that, we’ll make sure that the Senate is independent, it will not be subservient but cooperative,” he stressed.