Rappler's latest stories on Vicente Sotto III
Duterte asks Congress for 'emergency powers' to address coronavirus outbreak
President Duterte also asks Congress to declare a 'national emergency' and grant him at least 18 powers, including a takeover of private businesses. Senate President Sotto says they won't grant emergency powers.

Lawmakers ask DOF, BIR: Don’t be ‘heartless,' extend tax filing deadline
'Hindi kami nanghihingi ng pera. Magbabayad kami ng buwis. Pero huwag mo naman sabihin sa amin na magbayad kami 2 araw matapos ang quarantine na in-impose niyo,' says Congressman Joey Salceda

Senators to question VFA termination at Supreme Court
No less than Senate President Vicente Sotto III is preparing the petition raising the need for Senate concurrence in ending treaties

Sotto shows video on coronavirus conspiracy theory at Senate hearing
'Meron tayong kasabihan eh. If you want to defeat an enemy, know the enemy. Ano ba itong virus na ito?' says Senate President Vicente Sotto III before showing the video that does not cite any official information or sources

Sotto wants to regulate firecracker use
Senate President Vicente Sotto has filed a bill that seeks to prohibit the unsupervised use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices

[OPINION | Dash of SAS] Sotto attempt to remove fund for contraceptives is reproductive coercion
In November 2019, Sotto proposed to remove the P225 million budget specifically allocated to buy 300,000 contraceptive implants

Sotto asks NBI: Where is Andy Bautista?
The NBI says it is aware the former Comelec chief is in the US, and that 'they are studying their next move'
Sotto: Pride Month in schools to 'cause confusion in young minds'
'As far as I know, pride is still one of the 7 deadly sins,' says Senate President Vicente Sotto III on a DepEd memo inviting schools to observe LGBTQ+ Pride Month every June

Sotto calls for halt in implant contraceptive funding for 2020
Senate President Vicente Sotto III questions the ruling of the Food and Drug Administration that Implanon and Implanon NXT are non-abortifacient

Sotto: Duterte must revamp Bureau of Corrections
(UPDATED) 'This travesty of justice is condemnable!' Senate President Vicente Sotto seethes on Twitter, following reports that the Bureau of Corrections released convicts in high-profile cases

Hontiveros on lotto resumption: 'Buti nahimasmasan na si Pangulo'
Senator Risa Hontiveros also tells President Rodrigo Duterte to 'go after those small town lottery franchises fronting for jueteng, strongly regulate Chinese online gambling, and stop recycling corrupt officials'

Status quo: Tito Sotto reelected as Senate president
(3rd UPDATE) Despite initial reports of neophytes wanting a change in leadership, the old leaders remain: Juan Miguel Zubiri as Majority Leader, Ralph Recto as Senate President Pro-Tempore, and Franklin Drilon as Minority Leader
Robredo, Sotto gain approval, trust of more Filipinos – Pulse Asia
(UPDATED) Former Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo remained the least appreciated and trusted top Philippine official in her final week as a public official, according to a Pulse Asia survey

Robredo’s net satisfaction rating soars in March – SWS
Vice President Leni Robredo's net satisfaction rating jumps to a 'good' +42 in March from a 'moderate' +27 in December 2018

Sotto says Honasan to leave Senate for DICT
Senate President Vicente Sotto III says the number of senators 'may be reduced' to 22 when the Senate resumes session in November

Senate leaders ask Duterte to intervene as House voids Road Board abolition
(UPDATED) Senate leaders say President Duterte holds the 'key' since he himself supports the abolition of the graft-ridden Road Board

Senate calls for suspension of driver-only car ban on EDSA
(4th UPDATE) In a resolution, the Senate 'strongly' urges the MMDA to 'conduct public consultations' and provide 'real solutions to Metro Manila congestion'

Unlike House, Senate backs cash-based 2019 budget
While senators are united against having a reenacted budget next year, it is not enough, as House approval is needed

MISLEADING: Sotto 'bares' senators linked to alleged 2016 poll fraud
The Senate President has yet to name those who 'benefited' from irregularities in the 2016 elections, but a YouTube video thumbnail appears to implicate 4 opposition senators

'Ugly, embarrassing' debacle proves House can't amend Constitution
'What happened yesterday is a strong argument against a parliamentary form of government where patronage politics plays a major, if not the only, role in selecting our country’s top leader,' says Senator Panfilo Lacson

Senate inaction on China: No inquiry amid militarization
Experts tell Rappler it is the Senate's 'patriotic duty' to protect the Philippines' territorial integrity as China militarizes the South China Sea

Inquirer news site's Pepsi Paloma articles now inaccessible
(5th UPDATE) 'The rape of Pepsi Paloma' and 'Was Pepsi Paloma murdered?' written by United States-based columnist Rodel Rodis are no longer available on Inquirer.net

Senators: Like Dengvaxia, Barangay Health Station funds 'rushed' for 2016 polls
But former health secretary Janette Garin denies the allegation, saying the government has continuously funded the nationwide Barangay Health Stations project

Senators condemn killing of Tanauan mayor Halili
(UPDATED) Senators call on the Philippine National Police to solve the killing, which opposition senators say is a result of President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war

Sotto visits De Lima in jail
(UPDATED) Opposition Senator Leila de Lima says she is grateful to Senate President Vicente Sotto III's for visiting her and hearing her out

Senators oppose final SC decision on Sereno ouster
Senators are torn on whether the Senate can still adopt the resolution expressing its sentiment against the quo warranto petition

Patricia Fox, Tito Sotto, PNP vs. ‘tambays’ | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Acor Arceo

Sotto says Inquirer will remove articles on Pepsi Paloma
(UPDATED) 'They will [take it down]... because it's fake news. It's [the] original fake news,' says Senate President Vicente Sotto III

ISIS operatives, Tito Sotto, World Cup 2018 | Midday wRap
Watch Rappler’s midday newscast with Mara Cepeda

Sotto asks Inquirer to remove articles on Pepsi Paloma
(UPDATED) The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines denounces Sotto's request, saying it is a 'brazen attempt to suppress freedom of the press and of expression'

Sotto backs Duterte, says killings of priests 'just a coincidence'
'Baka nagkataon lang 'yan. 100 million ang Pilipino, ilan ang pari sa buong Pilipinas?' says Senate President Vicente Sotto III

Sotto on Independence Day 2018: PH should focus on 'independence from drugs'
(UPDATED) 'Some are worried about China, about the economy, when the real enemy is drug dependency. There is one or at least affected by one in every Filipino family,' says Senate President Vicente Sotto III

Lacson questions landing of China plane in PH: 'We might wake up a colony'
'What if a hundred Chinese military aircraft suddenly request to refuel simultaneously? We might all wake up a colony again, this time by China,' says Senator Panfilo Lacson

LIST: Tito Sotto's accomplishments, bills signed into law
New Senate President Vicente Sotto III is the most senior member of the chamber yet criticisms against him abound. What has he done in his two decades in the Senate?

'Iskul Bukol': Netizens slam Sotto over 'Bayang Magiliw' gaffe
Senate President Vicente Sotto III refers to the Philippine national anthem as 'Bayang Magiliw,' instead of its actual title, 'Lupang Hinirang'

Sotto vows to campaign 'vigorously' for reelectionist senators in 2019
'I’m not running in 2019. My term ends in 2022. I will be able to help those who we feel would be assets to the Senate,' Senate President Vicente Sotto III tells Rappler

Sotto says NPC eyeing Ted Failon as 2019 senatorial candidate
Senate President Vicente Sotto III tells Rappler the Nationalist People's Coalition has decided to support a coalition of candidates, which they will finalize soon

Rappler Talk: The goals and challenges of the Senate under Tito Sotto
Rappler talks to Senate President Vicente Sotto III about his plans for the Senate, his stand on critical issues, the longest noontime show Eat Bulaga, and how he handles criticisms

Sotto says Senate 'cannot intervene' in SC decision on Sereno ouster
We should not interfere with [the] judiciary. I believe that because I don't want the judiciary to interfere with us,' Senate President Vicente Sotto III tells Rappler

Senate under Sotto to have 'cordial' working relationship with Duterte
'If the administration is pushing something for our countrymen, we will support it. If we feel it is not, then it is not…I think we can work with each other,' Senate President Vicente Sotto III tells Rappler

Senate asks Duterte to certify proposed BBL as urgent to meet June 2 deadline
The Senate seeks to pass the bill on final reading before Congress adjourns sine die on June 2, in time for President Rodrigo Duterte's 3rd State of the Nation Address

#ThewRap: Things you need to know, May 22, 2018
Hello! Here are the stories you shouldn't miss this Tuesday

Netizens hit Sotto's past blunders as he takes over Senate
After Vicente Sotto III's election as Senate president, some Filipinos remind the public about the controversies he got involved in before. But others say Sotto, as the most senior member of the Senate, deserves the post.

No more 'Eat Bulaga!' for Senate President Tito Sotto for now
Sotto says he will take a break from the country's longest-running noontime television show, given his new role at the Senate

Tito Sotto elected as Senate president
(UPDATED) Vicente Sotto III, who takes over from Aquilino Pimentel III, says he is 'deeply humbled and sincerely grateful' for the opportunity to lead the Senate 'at this critical and challenging time'

Koko Pimentel resigns as Senate president
(3rd UPDATE) Aquilino Pimentel III nominates Vicente Sotto III as his successor, saying, 'This is an example of a peaceful and willing transfer of power in the Senate'

Sotto: I won’t allow Senate to be 'trampled' on
(UPDATED) Senators expect Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III to provide the kind of protective leadership that Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III failed to show when his party mate, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, attacked the Senate

Sotto wrong, rights groups not quiet over India rape cases – HRW
Human Rights Watch tells Philippine Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III that international groups have been speaking up about sexual violence in India

Senate President Tito Sotto? Likely this year, says Lacson
This change in Senate leadership could happen within the year, possibly in July or in October, when Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III files his certificate of candidacy for reelection

Senate President Sotto? 'I'm open to it'
When asked if Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III will step down once he files his certificate of candidacy for the 2019 elections, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III says there have been discussions 'to that effect'
