‘Now that he is making good as mayor, Sotto must remember to guard his thoughts and words, especially if aired on social or the printed media, because there is no turning back on quotes once uttered.’
PASIG City Mayor Vico Sotto is no longer a newbie in politics, having spent some time as city councilor and is also on his way to finish his first term as mayor. So he should be aware that a quote is a quote — some may be forgotten in time, some may stand the test of time — but once said or written, it remains valid as a source of commentary. One can just explain the statement’s context during the time that it was said.
With this in mind, we note with interest the young Sotto’s pique when he alleged that some “Dilawan groups” have been misusing his old statement in a Facebook post “that made him appear” (he really was) criticizing any endorsement by President Rodrigo Duterte for the presidential bid of the Daughterte, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Mayor Sotto complained that his old post, “Hindi lang isang pamilya ang magaling” had been used and spinned by the Yellow camp to bolster their narrative, which of course was reason enough for the Die-hard Duterte Squad to fiercely scream.
Sotto said in his June 9 Facebook post, “Maaaring totoo ang quote, pero last year pa at HINDI presidential elections ang topic! Misquoted ng ibang Dilawan group para sumakto sa naratibo nila… kaso lang, naniwala ang iilang supporters ng Presidente at kaya nagalit (The quote may be true, but it was said last year and the topic was not presidential elections. Some Dilawan groups misquoted me to fit their narrative, but the few supporters of President Duterte believed them that’s why they got angry).”
The mayor resolved not to “meddle” with national politics because of what happened. He said: “Here in Pasig, it’s just work mode. Let’s not be bothered by the loud voices of those who want to make intrigues. Just in the city, we need to do so many things; this is not the time to meddle in national politics.”
He added that in Pasig, all political parties are welcome.
Many see in Vico Sotto the makings of a national leader when he overwhelmingly won over the Eusebios, long-time political leaders of Pasig, whose efforts and sound urban management were behind the city’s phenomenal growth.
Now that he is making good as mayor, Sotto must remember to guard his thoughts and words, especially if aired on social or the printed media, because there is no turning back on quotes once uttered. Also, you cannot say “maaaring totoo ang quote” — either you said it or you didn’t.
There is nothing wrong with general statements that are true, or believed as true by most people, at any time, year or age. One such truth is that not one family monopolizes talent, as Vico Sotto had said. There is no cause to apologize.
