Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto has signaled a departure from the political limelight once his final term concludes in June 2028, expressing a desire to enter the academe rather than gunning for higher office.
Speaking with members of the press at his office, Sotto revealed his interest in returning to his alma mater, Ateneo de Manila University. The Mayor is an alumnus of the institution, having completed his Political Science degree in 2011 and a Master’s in Public Management in 2018.
Addressing the possibility of joining the faculty, he jokingly remarked, “Hindi ko alam kung kukunin nila ako.”
While teaching is a primary interest, Sotto clarified that his aspirations for life after the mayoralty are broad.
“Marami akong plano sa buhay. Hindi lang naman yung pagtuturo. Pero, of course, marami din akong gusto din,” he noted, emphasizing that education is just one of several personal milestones he hopes to achieve.
The Mayor’s statement effectively downplays persistent speculation regarding a potential presidential or senatorial run.
He specifically brushed off recent lighthearted comments from his father, Vic Sotto, who teased him as the “next President” during the 2025 midterm campaign trail.
“Siyempre ang ama, bilib sa anak,” the younger Sotto said, attributing the remark to parental pride rather than political strategy.
Despite consistently appearing as a top choice in pre-election surveys for the 2028 senatorial race, Sotto remains firm on his current path.
For now, the local chief executive maintains that his priority is the successful completion of his mandate in Pasig and the eventual transition to a private life centered on service through education.