Vic Sotto on clamor for son Vico to run for president: It’s his decision

Vic Sotto is aware of the clamor that his son, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, is receiving to run for president, though he stressed that the decision is entirely up to the latter.

By law, presidential aspirants should be 40 years old by the time they seek the position of chief executive. Vico, however, is only 36 years old, which means that he will be short of two years to qualify for the age requirement under the constitution.

“The age is not right yet,” the elder Sotto told Ogie Diaz’s showbiz vlog on Saturday, May 2, when asked about his thoughts on his son’s popularity as a politician and the clamor for the latter to run for a higher office.

The “Eat Bulaga” host said that while he is proud of his son’s accomplishments, he said it’s Vico’s call whether he decides to run for president or not. 

Sotto also said that entering politics has always been part of the family. To note, the host’s brother Tito Sotto has been serving his umpteenth term as senate president since last year. Their grandfather Vicente Sotto was also a senator before him.

“Kapag nababanggit si Vico, it’s always praises for him. Siyempre, proud tatay naman ako [pero] as far as I’m concerned, ‘yung desisyon (to run for president), nasa kanya na ‘yun eh,” he said.

“Siguro baka magpahinga lang sandali. And I’m sure [he’ll come] back. ‘Yung serbisyo publiko nasa dugo na niya ‘yun eh,” he continued.

(Whenever Vico is mentioned, it’s always praises for him. Of course, I’m a proud dad but as far as I’m concerned, the decision is entirely up to him. Maybe he’ll rest for a while. And I’m sure he’ll come back. Public service is in our blood.)

Vico, who is currently on this third and final term as Pasig City mayor, said in a June 2025 speech that he won’t be running for public office in the upcoming 2028 elections. 

“[In] 2028, I will not run. I am already telling you this now. That’s why I am free to do what I think is right,” he said. /edv