Tito Sotto III: A legacy of service and family link to Pasig’s revival

If there’s anybody who could connect sentimentally with the Pasig River Rehabilitation Project, it should be former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto, whose nephew, Vico Sotto, heads the city of Pasig as mayor.

Sotto is making another run for the Senate in the 2025 midterm elections under the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), the party he chairs and has long been associated with.

A veteran lawmaker with over two decades of legislative experience, Sotto served four terms in the Senate, where he became known for championing laws on public order, anti-drug policies and social welfare programs. He was Senate President from 2018 to 2022, presiding over critical national debates, including those on the war on drugs and pandemic response.

Now aiming to reclaim a Senate seat under the umbrella of the administration’s Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, Sotto brings with him a platform focused on continuity — particularly in governance, law enforcement and public welfare.

His candidacy also carries a sentimental link to one of the country’s most enduring environmental challenges: the rehabilitation of the Pasig River. His nephew, Vico Sotto, has been a vocal advocate for sustainable urban development, and as mayor, he has supported efforts to clean and restore the historic river that runs through his city.

The Pasig River Rehabilitation Project, a longstanding environmental and urban renewal initiative, has seen varying degrees of government attention. Sotto’s legislative experience and his close ties to Pasig’s leadership could give him a unique perspective on crafting policies that support long-term environmental sustainability and urban infrastructure improvement.

With name recognition, a strong legislative track record, and an established political base, Sotto remains a formidable contender in the 2025 senatorial race, banking on both his experience and his family’s commitment to public service.