The Leaders Who Shaped Vico Sotto’s Vision for Public Service
VICO SOTTO – Known for his progressive leadership style, Vico Sotto revealed the public servants he considers role models in his political journey.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto recently opened up about the public servants he admires and considers influential in shaping his leadership style and political career.
Among those he highly respects is Senate President Sen. Win Gatchalian, whose experience in local governance has served as an inspiration to the young mayor. Mayor Vico shared his thoughts during the latest YouTube vlog of broadcast journalist and news anchor Bernadette Sembrano, where they discussed his consultative approach to leadership.
“Sinusubukan kong matuto mula sa mga nauna sa akin. Halimbawa, si now Sen. Win Gatchalian, naging mayor siya 29 years old. I became mayor at 29 years old,” said Mayor Vico.
The Pasig mayor noted the similarities between their political journeys, particularly how they both assumed office under challenging circumstances.
Vico said, “Pinalitan niya, matagal sa puwesto na mayor.
“Ganu’n din ako. Nu’ng pumasok siya sa city hall, lahat appointee ng kalaban niya. Nu’ng pumasok ako sa city hall, ganu’n din,” the mayor said.
According to Mayor Vico, he even sought advice from Sen. Gatchalian on how to work with people who remained loyal to the political rivals they defeated in local elections.
Mayor Vico said, “He’s very generous (sa pagbibigay ng advice). I could name others, pero ang point is kailangan matuto tayo sa nauna sa atin.”
Aside from Sen. Gatchalian, Mayor Vico also expressed admiration for the late Jesse Robredo, former mayor of Naga City and former secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the administration of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
Robredo, widely regarded as a model of good governance, left a lasting impact on many public officials even after his passing in 2012.
Mayor Vico said, “Looking at examples like, you know, Mayor Jesse Robredo before. Kung paano siya makipag-relate sa mga tao.
“I’ve never met him personally, but I’ve talked to a lot of people who knew him personally,” he said.
By learning from respected leaders of the past and present, Mayor Vico continues to shape his own brand of public service centered on humility, consultation, and effective governance.
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