Sotto accused by the Kennedy clan of plagiarizing part of a speech by the late US Senator Robert F. Kennedy

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III maintained his denial of plagiarism claims on Tuesday, nearly six years after he was accused of plagiarizing a speech from the late US Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

May

2018

Sotto asks Inquirer to remove articles on Pepsi Paloma

Senate President Vicente Sotto III has requested that publications linking him to the infamous 1982 rape of sexy actress Pepsi Paloma be removed from the website Inquirer.net.

May

2018

Sotto's 'Bayang Magiliw' mistake slammed by netizens.

In his interview with Rappler on plagiarism, Sotto referred to the Philippine national anthem as "Bayang Magiliw," rather than its official title, "Lupang Hinirang," as netizens pointed out. The anthem's first line is "Bayang magiliw," and while mistaking it for the song's title is common, netizens had high expectations for their new Senate president.

May

2018

Sotto threatens to sue Rappler and columnist for piece on RH budget cut

Senator Vicente "Tito" Sotto III has threatened to sue Rappler and one of its columnists unless the news site removes an opinion item about a P1 billion contraceptive allotment that was cut from the national budget. Rappler responded to Sotto's letter through managing editor Glenda M. Gloria, assuring the senator that the news site "means no harm or malice" when it publishes stories like Claudio's.

February

2018

Sotto demanded the resignation of Chito Gascon, the chairman of the Commission on Human Rights, for criticizing Duterte

Sotto called for the resignation of Commission on Human Rights Chairman Chito Gascon for criticizing Duterte. "If you work for an institution, or you're with an institution, speak well of it. Otherwise, resign then, damn it."

September

2017

Sotto criticized for saying single mothers are 'na-ano lang' (just got knocked up) to Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, a solo parent

In May 2017, Sotto stated this at Taguiwalo's confirmation hearing before the Commission on Appointments (CA). "Senator Sotto, I teach women's studies. We respect all kinds of families and that includes solo parents. Thank you," Taquiwalo responded. Despite the jest, Sotto stated he supported Taguiwalo.

May

2017

Sotto criticized for “victim-blaming” on Eat Bulaga’s 'Juan for All, All for Juan' segment

During the program, the segment winner discussed how a male acquaintance took advantage of her when she was intoxicated, and Sotto indicated that the lady shouldn't have been drinking in the first place. Sotto justified his remarks, claiming that they were made in the name of freedom of expression: "What I was looking at really was, there should be a preservation of institution of marriage. When you're married, you act like a married man or a married woman."

July

2016

Sotto denies whitewashing Pepsi Paloma rape case

After 34 years, incumbent Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III denied any involvement in the infamous Pepsi Paloma rape case. “Hindi totoo ‘yan. Gimik yan ni Rey dela Cruz,” Sotto said in a radio interview on Thursday.

March

2016

Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism reported that Sotto was accused of harboring links with drug lord Alfredo Tiongco

Sotto was accused of having ties to drug lord Alfredo Tiongco, who allegedly funded Sotto's 1992 senatorial campaign, according to the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism in 1997. Sotto denied any ties, but said he requested police protection for Tiongco, who approached him after getting death threats, according to Sotto.

1997

Ang aking posisyon kasi, as I said, there are four major [components of the campaign] and the Duterte administration really was hellbent on enforcement. Tama ‘yun...I support the war on drugs as long as there is a war on drug abuse.

February

2022

Rehabilitation is not just bringing them into a rehabilitation center. You must profile the drug dependent…You have to study or profile the drug dependent kung ano'ng puwede sa kaniyang program.

October

2021

Are there abuses? I think so. For sure, hindi mawawala 'yan. Nangyayari talaga 'yan because even during the start of the Oplan Tokhang, you must recall that some of the drug pushers were eliminated by their own, there were also ‘tongpats’ na invoved sa pulis o pulis na ‘tongpats,’ ine-eliminate na nila kaagad nila 'yung mga pusher na hawak nila dahil ituturo sila...So talagang there were abuses and I’m sure it happened but do not put down the entire drug operations that were successful.

June

2021

War vs Drugs is an ongoing Struggle. You only fail if you stop fighting. If you don’t know this complex crime, zip it!

October

2019

Same-sex union is already being practiced here and there is nothing we can do about it. It's just tolerated but not in the legal sense. We should leave it at that.

October

2020

Same sex union should be enough. (It) does not need law.

December

2017

ABS-CBN’s wide reach to Filipinos, alongside the undeniable advantages of broadcast media relative to mass communication, definitely calls for the immediate renewal of the network’s franchise.

January

2021

NEUTRAL: But we are tackling a resolution that is countering the prerogative of the executive department. I am inclined to have the same thinking as [former] justice Antonio Carpio.

May

2020

Senators Panfilo Lacson and Vicente Sotto III, who introduced bills calling for the death penalty in the Philippines, have suddenly spoken out against it. Both indicated they were renouncing their support for the death sentence because they were afraid of sending an innocent person to their death. Lacson and Sotto want the Philippines to build an Alcatraz-style prison.

November

2021

AGREE: While personally, I support the passage of a death penalty law, my count in the senate tells me that it will face a very rough sailing in the Upper Chamber.

July

2020

AGREE: In the new Senate, there’s a possibility of 13 [votes for death penalty] for high-level drug trafficking alone.

May

2019

Magagabayan ng resulta ng mas malawak na mass testing ang ating mga lider para sila ay maghinay-hinay sa pagbuo ng desisyon ukol sa pagtanggal ng ECQ. The premature lifting of the strict quarantine regulation could lead to a worse second COVID-19 wave.

May

2020

Unless mass testing is conducted, we will not know if the person whom we have just talked with, or the person beside us at the grocery aisle or the lady who was pushing the cart before us is infected.

May

2020

Given that we are investigating on COVID-related procurement, let us explore the possibility as well of providing free COVID tests to all Filipinos. While the government is much devoted to COVID-19 vaccines, our COVID-19 testing has been somewhat being neglected.

August

2021

Congress has been working hard on the country’s budget to ensure that the needs of our people will be addressed. And it is very disheartening to see that much-needed funds are just lying idly and put to waste especially that we are in the middle of a crisis. Maybe these funds could instead be allocated for the free mass testing and help save lives.

August

2021

Kung ang China, may nine-dash line, wala tayong maritime zones, hindi maliwanag. That is why I filed a bill to, ika nga, linawan mabuti yan. At pag ‘yan, pinasok tayo noong kapitbahay natin, papasok yung MDT, yung Mutual Defense Treaty. Ang kalaban niyan si Kano na.

February

2022

Sa pagkaalam ko sa ruling, sinasabi lang doon na ang Pinas ay may pag-aari, may stake doon pero wala ako nakikita sinabi ni tribunal na dapat lisanin ng China at ibigay sa Pinas ang ibang area.

May

2021

Why don’t we make our own map? Make our own 9-dash line. I think that’s a very good suggestion. Let’s insist on our own and God forbid they cross the line, the Mutual Defense Treaty will kick in. I think it’s just a matter of setting our foot down.

May

2021

NEUTRAL: It’s very difficult to say that there is an exclusivity if it is underwater. The fish could be coming from China. And the fish from the Philippines could be going to China.

June

2019

NEUTRAL: As long as we are allowed to fish also in their zones then I don’t see anything wrong. They would treat us as friends likewise.

June

2019

No. I believe the NTF-ELCAC program is good. Defunding it would give back the gains of government to the rebels. We should not be hasty in blaming a good program because of irresponsible statements from some officials. Replace the officials instead.

April

2021

DISAGREE: [Monteagudo] must have been misinformed. I would be the first to sense such if ever [there is truth to the allegations]. I’ve been [in the Senate] since 1992...Because of this, I am now inclined to support criminalizing red-tagging.

April

2021

AGREE: Napakalabo! It’s like criminalizing name-calling. Paano 'yung sinasabihan ng fascist? Narcissist? Hindi bawal? 'Yun yellow? Bawal din?

December

2020

What do they expect by threatening the Senate? That we roll over and die? Will never happen!

September

2021

Huwag niyong gamitin ang pandemya para mangatwiran sa inyong pagkukulang. Our people are not shallow-minded. If you have nothing to hide, just show proof. I am the longest-serving senator in this Congress. I have attended many hearings of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee. In all these hearings, there is one common denominator: the accused always plays the victim.

September

2021

We should learn from the concept of community pantry, it's simple and easy. I appeal to our officials not to make it difficult for those who want to help.

April

2021

I appeal to our officials not to make it difficult for those who want to help. [P]lease leave them alone.

April

2021

On a personal level, because of the Mutual Defense Treaty, hindi ako masyado kabado diyan sa issue diyan eh. Because contained in the Mutual Defense Treaty – and I’m not sure if everybody is aware of this, they may not be aware of this – once a Philippine government boat or any property is attacked by anyone, the Mutual Defense Treaty takes [effect] right away.

March

2021

In this case, if let’s say – I hope I’m not misquoted because there are many things I have said that were taken out of context – let’s say China attacks our Coast Guard, it would be automatic: We have the United States of America Mutual Defense Treaty that will kick into place. I will not be worried if that happens. They should be the one who should be worried.

March

2021

The public discourse over the WPS boils down to one thing: While the United Nations ruled in our favor, the ruling cannot be put in force because of the absence of an international body that would enforce it. But we can use this arbitral victory to our advantage.

May

2021

Hindi naman tayo puwedeng pagbawalan ng China kung gusto nating i-explore ang natural and mineral resources sa ating EEZ dahil atin iyon, pagmamay-ari natin iyon. Kung interesado ang China, puwede naman silang maging joint partner natin pero 60-40 ang hatian dahil tayo ang may-ari nu'ng area.

May

2021

Akala nila 'pag kontra sa gobyerno puwede nang i-classify na terrorist, hindi. Gusto mo murahin mo ang gobyerno, morning, noon and night, hindi ka puwede pa rin, you do not fall under the category definition.

June

2020

I suggest they read the bill first before reacting. Terrorists or their supporters are the only ones who will be afraid of the bill.

June

2020

This is war. It’s a war against COVID-19. ‘Pag giyera, meron bang umaangal na wala silang makain? Umaangal ka ba? Titiisin mo lahat ‘yan eh.

March

2021

I could not imagine any other President in the past [who] would be able to handle this pandemic, yes, in the ideal way that we would want it to be…I will not go to that extent of saying that the problem we’re in now is because of the President. I don’t think so.

March

2021

They should put in more doctors. That’s the better call. Instead of abolishing the IATF, let us put in more doctors. They should listen to the nurses association, to the Philippine Medical Association…They would know better on how to handle this pandemic; this epic pandemic.

March

2021

Asked if he believes there is a need to expound the events that happened during the martial law era in the basic educational system, Sotto answered with: “We should look at the curriculum. Ang history malakas pa ba sa educational system natin? Dapat palakasin pa rin,”

February

2022

A bill of local application, when it comes to the Senate, usually is not really debated upon…It is for Ilocos Norte. I doubt if there will be objections to that. If it is nationwide, maybe that will face an objection. It may have a hard time. For us, it is not a matter of whether we are going to support it or not. Usually, bills of local application breeze through the Senate unless one or two object. As far as Ilocos Norte is concerned, President Marcos was the past president. He has done a lot for Ilocos Norte.

September

2020

As of writing, no statement available.

November

2020

Kasi tinitipid tayo 'pag tayo na lang, cheap lang ang equipment and system (na ginagamit).

November

2015

Ping and I are on the way to PDEA. Magkaalaman na kung sino matatapang (We will now determine who are the brave ones). What we underwent was not the ordinary testing. PDEA uses a multi-drug testing kit. It can check all types of illegal drugs. Encompassing holistic drug test.

November

2021

There's no dynasty. The mayor Vico is in Pasig, while my son is in Quezon City. If we are all in one place perhaps you can call that as a dynasty but we are not,

January

2022

There are deep concerns that while countries whose students had performed well in the past international assessments are already back on track, the Philippines is still lagging behind using the blended learning method, which to many is not an effective means due to lack of access to internet and gadgets by majority of pupils and students.

February

2021

Right now, I am not convinced that we need a charter change. When you say kasi charter change, you have to change the constitution. You’re changing the constitution, not just charter amendments. Perhaps we need cha cha— character change. That’s what the country needs.

January

2021

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/1/15/Tito-Sotto-no-need-for-charter-change.html

'Yung BRAVE would be the answer. I doubt if we could push for federalism at this point...It encompasses the entire...needs and necessities and problems of the entire country. This budget reform program may be the answer to the salient feature of a federal form of government. Pwede nang maging parang style ng federalism siya [It can be sort of a federalism style] without changing the Constitution because you bring down the money to the people.

July

2021

We should not force our people to be vaccinated if they refuse. Last time I heard this a free country!

August

2021

Inaccuracy galore! A certain exec is asking Congress to pass Anti Endo bill! Huh? WE DID! President vetoed it July 26, 2019! SB 1826 of the 18th Congress [is] about the Province of Rizal! Balakayojan!

July

2021

Ako, on a personal note lang, not as a Senate President, but as Tito Sotto the advocate against illegal drugs, let them and see for themselves. Look at the drug operations, check out the drug operations that have transpired, baka mabuti pa nga 'yun eh.

June

2021

Before the UN, US and western countries investigate so-called extra- judicial killings here, they should tell us how many hundreds of thousands of babies they abort who are about to be born. Ano yun, walang rights? They have no moral high ground to lecture us.

July

2019

Ah oo kung ‘yun (dissolution of marriage) ang term. Andudun ‘yung problema...Mukhang madali sa karamihan sa amin, mas madali kung pag uusapan natin eh ‘yung dissolution of marriage. In other words, it is an upgraded annulment law...Open sila basta’t hindi word na divorce ang gagamitin.

August

2019

He is the president. The people expect transparency in their leaders.

November

2021

In the barangay level, lower level, not in the higher ups [because] they are not being followed anyway. We should have peace talks below,

November

2021

Agree according to (source).

February

2022

Sotto has filed an anti-fake news bill in 2019.

July

2019

We know very well that Mobile Phones have been used a countless times to perpetrate crimes such as bombing, kidnapping, fraud, drug trade and many other crimes where communication is the key. This freedom of availing prepaid SIM Cards and its effect could be felt even in a small community, “kung may kaaway ka, puwede ka bumili ng simcard sa tindahan at mag txt ng kung anu-ano sa kaaway mo."

October

2016

A good state of health is of equal importance and [a] critical factor in discharging one's function, yet [it is] often overlooked…Any person requesting a copy of the said document [medical records] shall be required to state its purpose, which must be lawful, and to pay a reasonable fee to cover its reproduction and mailing costs.

September

2020

Hindi kailangan [i-legalize] eh kasi allowed already. In other words, in the Dangerous Drugs Act, combined with the FDA circular, we have a compassionate use provision. It’s allowed already.

December

2018

I believe the NTF-Elcac (National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) program is good. Defunding it would give back the gains of [government] to the rebels. We should not be hasty in blaming a good program because of irresponsible statements from some officials. Replace the officials instead.

April

2021

I can understand the timing because of May 1st but it’s also election period, therefore, it would be wise to address it after the elections. In principle, I am supportive.

April

2019

Anti-discrimination on persons, p'wede. [P]ero focused on gays, which the SOGIE bill is, and religious and academic freedom impeded, plus smuggling of same-sex marriage? No chance!

August

2019

SOGIE