Vico Sotto: We need leaders who fear, love God

Leaders should have "fear and love of God," Pasig Mayor-elect Vico Sotto said Monday, as he outlined plans for the country's third richest city.

Sotto, a 29-year-old former city councilor, in last week's election upended the reelection bid of then mayor Bobby Eusebio, whose family has dominated Pasig's local politics for nearly 3 decades.

Asked how his faith as a Christian will define his rule, Sotto said, "I think it's really important for us to have leaders with the fear and love of God. It doesn't mean that policy-making will be based [on it]."

"My grounding and the fact that I grew up in church with people who are watching me and making sure that I don't do anything [wrong], I think that's very important."

The mayor-elect has promised to reduce infrastructure spending and allocate P2.4-billion to healthcare expenses to fully implement universal healthcare.

He said he would do away with the city's "confusing" traffic scheme, and remove the "quota" imposed on the city's traffic enforcers.

Sotto also said he wanted to revitalize the city's Ortigas business district by curbing corruption, as well as encourage civil society groups to be more involved with governance.

Finding love amid these plans "is not a priority" for Sotto, who is single, he said.

"I'm not going out of my way to find a girlfriend. There are too many things that need to be done."

ANC, 20 May 2019